Joaquin Buckley defeated Andre Fialho via knockout at UFC Vegas 73. The welterweights clashed on the main card of UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Hill. Buckley snapped his two-fight losing skid after landing a head kick early in the second round to seal the deal. Meanwhile, in the main event, Dern aced a unanimous decision win over Angela Hill.
Now 6-4 in the UFC, ‘New Mansa’ came into UFC Vegas 73 with a point to prove. The 29-year-old rose to fame after a highlight reel KO win over Impa Kasanganay in 2020. He has now fought eight times since then and won five of them. He dropped down to welterweight after losing his last two fights at middleweight to Chris Curtis and Nassourdine Imavov.
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His opponent Andre Fialho came into the fight hoping to end his two-fight losing skid. The Portuguese star had fought five times in 2022 and lost three out of those. With the loss, Fialho has now lost three in a row and is 2-4 in the UFC. Following the fight, fans chimed in with their interesting takes.
Fans react to Joaquin Buckley’s win at UFC Vegas 73
Joaquin Buckley has sent the UFC world into a meltdown with his win at UFC Vegas 73. He did the same in 2020 when he knocked out Impa Kasanganay with a jump-spinning back kick. The 29-year-old set up the perfect head kick after a largely uneventful first round.
Fans on Twitter had quite a few reactions after watching that picture-perfect knockout from ‘New Mansa.’ He also stole the post-fight interview with a callout of Logan Paul.
Buckley's message to Logan Paulpic.twitter.com/rRyttNKsl1
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) May 20, 2023
UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling tweeted his excitement at two back-to-back highlight reel knockouts from UFC Vegas 73.
2 crazy KO’s back to back?? Sheeeesh! I didn’t expect MJ to get caught like that by the BJJ ace, Diego. And I thought Buckley was gonna catch Fialho with a haymaker punch, but he landed that headkick FLUSH? In between Fialho starting a combination. Game of inches! #UFCVegas73
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) May 20, 2023
Another highlight for @NewMansa94’s reel 🎞️ #UFCVegas73 pic.twitter.com/cfCFifXI1G
— UFC (@ufc) May 20, 2023
WHAT A HEAD KICK FROM BUCKLEY
— 🌴ᴛʜᴇᴀʀᴛᴏꜰᴡᴀʀ🌴 (@TheArtOfWar6) May 20, 2023
Love him or hate him, so entertaining. Hardly ever in a boring fight
— Combat Sports Insider (@combat_insider) May 20, 2023
Some fans had issues with the referee not stepping in earlier to stop the fight.
dawg please get decisive refs, fialho took that last shot undefended because the ref had fully stepped in but not actually waved his hands
— Ben🔜🌕 (@butze_) May 20, 2023
Something about the end of that fight doesn’t sit right with me
— Pesci38 🐻⬇️ (@BillWithersbaby) May 20, 2023
Ref could've avoided that extra shot getting in if he didn't hesitate to stop it…
— Zinfamous (@ZinfamousHD) May 20, 2023
Some others felt good about Buckley’s prospects at welterweight.
Fair play. Wasn’t sure he could cut it at 170. Now would be good to see him fight a ranked fighter at 170 and see what he’s about. Congrats on tonight though! He looked a beast 💪
— Lee Norsworthy (@Nozza_90) May 21, 2023
The power was there for Buckley at 170lbs
— Steven Williams (@StevenStrangles) May 20, 2023
Great set up brotha @Newmansa94
— Jamahal Hill (@JamahalH) May 20, 2023
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Buckley 🦵🏽 MASTER #UFCVegas73
— The Schmo (@TheSchmo312) May 20, 2023
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What did you think of that Joaquin Buckley knockout? Do you think he should stay at welterweight? Who do you want to see him fight next? In addition, what did you make of his message to Logan Paul? Let us know in the comments below.
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