TLDR
- Joaquin Buckley criticized the UFC welterweight division for widespread inactivity despite having deep talent
- Buckley called out champion Islam Makhachev, Carlos Prates, Ian Garry, Leon Edwards, and others by name
- The welterweight title has not been defended since Makhachev won it in November 2025
- Several top contenders remain unbooked or sidelined despite being healthy and available
- Buckley himself has not fought since losing to Kamaru Usman in June 2025
Sources: yardbarker.com | yardbarker.com | themaclife.com
UFC welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley has publicly criticized the lack of activity in his division, calling out multiple top fighters by name during a recent live stream. Buckley, known as ‘New Mansa,’ expressed frustration that one of the UFC’s deepest weight classes has seen minimal action in early 2026.
“The matchmakers know their job. They know better than me what they doing,” Buckley said. “But right now, they got the hottest division, and ain’t nobody fighting.”
Champion and Contenders Called Out by Name
Buckley directed his criticism at welterweight champion Islam Makhachev, who won the title at UFC 322 in November 2025 but has not yet scheduled his first defense. He noted that Makhachev has been participating in wrestleball events instead of preparing for his next fight.
The criticism extended to several other top contenders in the division. Buckley mentioned Carlos Prates, who has been joking about drinking and smoking despite being in title contention, and Ian Machado Garry, who has recent wins but remains without a scheduled bout.
Former champion Jack Della Maddalena has not fought since losing his belt to Makhachev. Leon Edwards has been winless since March 2025 and has not been booked since his knockout loss to Prates at UFC 322.
Buckley also referenced Belal Muhammad, who has been focusing on his WR Meals company while waiting for his next fight assignment. Shavkat Rakhmonov was recently removed from the official rankings due to prolonged inactivity following knee surgery.
“I don’t know what’s going on. Like, what’s going on with the welterweight division?” Buckley said. “We got to get things active. Come on now. It’s the truth.”
Buckley’s Own Inactivity and Call to Action
Buckley himself has not competed since losing to Kamaru Usman in June 2025. He currently sits in the top ten rankings but has no fights scheduled for 2026.
Rather than presenting his comments as trash talk, Buckley framed them as a genuine call to action for the division. “This s— real. I’m ready to see what we capable of doing [in] 2026. Because right now, we all wasting time,” he said.
The welterweight division is widely considered one of the UFC’s most talent-rich weight classes. However, the pace at the top has slowed since Makhachev won the title, with contenders waiting, recovering, or preparing for future opportunities rather than booking immediate fights.
Meanwhile, Ian Machado Garry has offered his own suggestions for matchmaking in the division. Speaking on his Instagram account, Garry proposed Carlos Prates versus Michael Morales and Jack Della Maddalena versus Kamaru Usman as potential matchups.
Garry also positioned himself as the next title challenger, stating he wants to face Makhachev for the welterweight championship. “I want to see champion Islam Makhachev defend his belt against the world’s No. 1 contender, Ian Machado Garry. I’m next,” he said.
Buckley made clear his comments were not meant as jokes but as a serious expression of concern over lost momentum. With multiple contenders waiting and Makhachev expected to return later in the year, Buckley wants the UFC to force movement in the division before more time passes without activity.
