![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-2126535147.webp?width=600)
via Getty
via Getty
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-2126535147.webp?width=600)
via Getty
via Getty
What makes a fighter step into the cage time after time, knowing the risks, the pain, and the sacrifices? For Joaquin Buckley, it’s not just about winning, it’s about honoring the legacy of someone he lost too soon. Ranked #9 in the welterweight division with an impressive 20-6 record, ‘New Mansa’s upcoming clash against Colby Covington has fans buzzing. But beneath the gloves and grit lies a story that’s as powerful as his punches. Have you ever wondered what fuels the fighter’s fire? For Buckley, it’s a heartbreak that changed everything.
“My thing is, I accept the worst thing that could happen, so when I accept the worst thing that could happen, I feel like kind of free to go out there and just be me.“, the thirty-year-old revealed – his words carrying the weight of someone who has faced life’s toughest blows. And yet, it’s not just the fight you see in the cage, it’s the unseen battles that define him. “It’s the work they don’t see,” he added, offering a glimpse into the relentless drive that has shaped his career.
That drive comes from a source as heartwarming as it is heartbreaking, his late mother. “I was raised by my mother, she was a single mom. Did hair, just little random gigs just to make some paper, in order to feed me and clothe me,” Buckley shared. Her hustle was his foundation, teaching him resilience and grit. But life wasn’t kind to the Buckley family. When he was 11, his mother passed away due to a heart condition, a loss that left an indelible mark.
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“When I lost my mom, I didn’t know how to process it. I really felt like I lost something that was a part of me,” Buckley said, his voice filled with raw honesty. In the aftermath, his grandmother stepped in to pick up the pieces, becoming the rock he needed during those turbulent years. Through it all, Buckley found a way to channel his pain into purpose, shaping the man and fighter he is today.
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Joaquin Buckley’s journey of overcoming adversity to dominate at every level
What would you do to honor someone who gave you everything? For Joaquin Buckley, every strike and step in the octagon is a tribute to the woman who taught him how to fight, not in the cage, but in life.
“My mom was one of the big troopers in my life and I feel like she was a big help into becoming the man I am today,” the American shared, reflecting on her influence. Her strength wasn’t just inspiring, it was transformational. Watching her persevere through life’s challenges became the foundation for Buckley’s own approach to adversity.
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“And show the world exactly why I do what I do,” he said, summing up his journey with a simple yet profound statement. For Buckley, it’s not about winning fights, it’s about proving that resilience can turn tragedy into triumph. Though her time with him was cut short, his mother’s spirit continues to guide him. The lessons she taught live on in his work ethic, his determination, and his unrelenting grit. His grandmother’s support further solidified those values, giving him the strength to carry forward and the courage to dream big.
What fuels your fire when life gets tough? Buckley’s story reminds us all that even in the face of unimaginable loss, greatness is possible. What part of his journey resonated most with you? Let us know in the comments below!
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