The UFC welterweight division is in a state of stagnation, and Joaquin Buckley has had enough. After a stellar 2024 with four victories, Buckley’s momentum came to a screeching halt in 2025, marked by a single decision loss to Kamaru Usman. Since then, he’s been left on the sidelines, watching as the division seemingly grinds to a halt. Now, the No. 9 ranked welterweight is taking a stand, calling out fighters and matchmakers alike on social media. ‘The division is on standby,’ he declares, and he’s not wrong. But here’s where it gets controversial: Buckley doesn’t hold back in his critique, pointing fingers at top contenders for their lack of activity. From Islam Makhachev ‘playing wrestle ball’ to Leon Edwards ‘missing again,’ Buckley paints a picture of a division more focused on posturing than fighting. ‘We’re all wasting time,’ he laments, and it’s hard to argue with him. And this is the part most people miss: it’s not just Buckley who’s frustrated. Michael ‘Venom’ Page has been vocal about the same issues, even resorting to part-time middleweight fights due to the lack of welterweight matchups. His upcoming UFC London bout against unranked Sam Patterson only underscores the problem. So, what’s the solution? Buckley suggests a fight with Jack Della Maddalena, the No. 1 ranked welterweight, as a way to shake things up. But this highlights a deeper issue: fighters are only interested in matchups that guarantee title contention, leaving the division gridlocked. Is this the fighters’ fault, or is the system to blame? While it’s easy to point fingers at the athletes, the UFC’s structure incentivizes this behavior. At what point does the organization step in to force action? We’ve been discussing this problem for years, yet nothing has changed. But here’s the real question: Will the UFC finally take decisive action, or will the welterweight division remain in limbo? Buckley’s frustration is palpable, and his call to action is clear. The ball is now in the UFC’s court—but will they make the fight? Let’s hope so, because as Buckley puts it, ‘This ain’t a joke, man. This is real.’ What do you think? Is Buckley right to call out the division, or is he overstepping? Let us know in the comments!
