Makhachev vs Buckley

When is Makhachev vs Buckley?

Islam Makhachev could potentially face the challenge of Joaquin Buckley, in Late 2025.

The fight would be contested over 5 rounds in the Welterweight division, which means the weight limit would be 170 pounds (12.1 stone or 77.1 KG).

Makhachev vs Buckley stats

Islam Makhachev would step into the octagon with a record of 27 wins, 1 loss and 0 draws, 5 of those wins coming by the way of knock out and 13 by submission.

Joaquin Buckley would make his way to the cage with a record of 21 wins, 7 losses and 0 draws, 15 of those wins coming by knock out.

The stats suggest Buckley would have a massive power advantage over Makhachev, boasting a 71% knock out percentage over Makhachev's 19%.

If the fight goes to the ground, their records suggest Makhachev would have a massive advantage over Buckley, boasting a 48% submission rate over Buckley's 0%.

Islam Makhachev is the older man by 2 years, at 33 years old.

Buckley has a 6-inch reach advantage.

Makhachev's experience as a professional fighter is currently relatively equal to Buckley's, having had the same amount of fights, and made his debut in 2010, 4 years and 1 month earlier than Buckley, whose first professional fight was in 2014. He has fought 6 less professional rounds, 60 to Buckley's 66.

Makhachev vs Buckley form

Makhachev has won all 5 of his most recent fights, stopping 1 opponent and going to the judges 4 times.

In his last fight, he won against Renato Moicano at UFC 311 on 18th January 2025 by submission in the 1st round in their UFC Lightweight championship fight at Intuit Dome, Los Angeles, United States.

Previous to that, he had beaten Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 on 1st June 2024 by submission in the 5th round in their UFC Lightweight championship fight at Prudential Center, Newark.

Going into that contest, he had defeated Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294 on 21st October 2023 by knockout in the 1st round in their UFC Lightweight championship fight at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Before that, he was victorious against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284 on 11th February 2023 by unanimous decision in their UFC Lightweight championship fight at RAC Arena, Perth, Western Australia.

He had won against Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 on 22nd October 2022 by submission in the 2nd round in their UFC Lightweight championship fight at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Buckley has beaten 4 of his last 5 opponents, stopping 3 of them, going the distance once.

In his last fight, he lost to Kamaru Usman at UFC Fight Night: Usman vs. Buckley on 14th June 2025 by unanimous decision in their 5 round contest at State Farm Arena, Atlanta, United States.

Previous to that, he had beaten Colby Covington at UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Buckley on 14th December 2024 by knockout in the 3rd round at Amalie Arena, Tampa.

Going into that contest, he had defeated Stephen Thompson at UFC 307 on 5th October 2024 by knockout in the 3rd round at Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City.

Before that, he was victorious against Nursulton Ruziboev at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Nascimento on 11th May 2024 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at Enterprise Center, St. Louis.

He had won against Vicente Luque at UFC Fight Night: Blanchfield vs. Fiorot on 30th March 2024 by knockout in the 2nd round at Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City.

Activity check

In terms of recent activity, Joaquin Buckley has been fighting more than Islam Makhachev.

Islam Makhachev last fought 5 months and 16 days ago, while Joaquin Buckley's last outing was 20 days ago.

Makhachev's last 5 fights have come over a period of 2 years, 8 months and 12 days, meaning he has been fighting on average every 6 months and 16 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 14 rounds, meaning that they have lasted 2.8 rounds on average.

Buckley's last 5 fights have come over a period of 1 year, 3 months and 4 days, meaning he has been fighting on average every 3 months and 2 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 16 rounds, meaning that they have lasted 3.2 rounds on average.

What are the odds on Makhachev vs Buckley?

Sorry, we couldn’t find any odds for Makhachev vs Buckley yet. If a contest doesn’t have odds initially after it is announced, bookmakers usually release them closer to the day of the fight.