Buckley Vows "One More Fight" as He Announces UFC Retirement at 32

Joaquin Buckley has promised to bow out on his own terms, announcing Thursday that he will fight one more time and then retire from the UFC at the age of 32. The decision, revealed in an emotional Instagram video, came just five days after Buckley suffered one of the most violent knockouts of the year at UFC Edmonton, where Mike Malott folded him with a brutal second-round knee in the main event. It was Buckley's third consecutive defeat, following decision losses to former champion Kamaru Usman and Sean Brady. Buckley said a phone call with his grandmother changed his mind after he had initially vowed to keep fighting. "That fight was devastating, and it really affected my family — the people that are closest to me," he said, recounting how she told him to retire and protect his health "because your mind is your biggest tool and asset, and you don't wanna lose it." After sleeping on it, he agreed — but with one condition. "I told her to pray for me, and allow me to grace that Octagon just one more time because I can't leave on a loss," he said. "This is the last one, but we're going to make our last one the best one." Buckley leaves a 21-9 record with 15 knockouts. He joined the UFC in 2020 and became famous for his jumping spinning back-kick knockout of Impa Kasanganay, one of the most replayed finishes in company history. He enjoyed a six-fight winning streak after dropping to welterweight, with stoppage wins over Stephen Thompson and Colby Covington. No date or opponent for his farewell bout has been announced.