While Joaquin Buckley and Ian Machado Garry are currently focused on separate paths in the UFC welterweight division, a future confrontation inside the cage appears increasingly likely.
Tensions flared between the two contenders earlier this week during the ceremonial weigh-ins for UFC Kansas City. Garry was on stage when Buckley was in the audience, and although the specifics of their exchange remain unclear, neither fighter seemed pleased by the encounter.
Buckley addressed the incident during a media availability on Saturday.
“The reason why he doesn’t understand me is because I don’t speak ‘Cuck-anese,’” Buckley stated. “You understand? So I can understand why he didn’t understand me the first time. But when I was out there, and he doing his weigh-ins, I’m not trying to get into his head and nothing like that, but when you talk like that, don’t act like when you see me like I’m invisible. You talk about me. You saying my name? Holla at me. Let me know something.”
Buckley continued, describing Garry`s reaction: “But you know, his girl very protective, protecting her man. Shit, using the baby like a shield, whatever. But I really wanted to see what Ian Garry’s about and just what he had to say to me in person and he was real quiet.”
Buckley`s “Cuck-anese” remark appears to be a reference to the public scrutiny surrounding Garry`s personal life and his relationship with his wife, Layla, who has publicly defended their marriage against negative comments.
Despite the personal animosity, Buckley emphasized he has no immediate interest in settling the dispute outside of an official fight setting. His primary focus is his upcoming headline bout against former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman at UFC Atlanta on June 14.
Regarding the weigh-in incident, Buckley recounted: “Nothing happened… His girl was touching on my arm and stuff like that, caressing my arm, I don’t know what all that was about. I feel like security, they’ve got to do their job, because they just never know how fighters are going to react, so shout out to them, but for me, I just want to promote and have a conversation, because if we’re really going to get down, let’s get paid for it at the end of the day.”
Ian Machado Garry competed in the main event of UFC Kansas City on Saturday, securing a five-round decision victory over Carlos Prates. When asked about Buckley`s comments at the post-fight press conference, Garry offered a concise reply.
“That man is an absolute p*ssy,” Garry declared. “I don’t care for anything he has to say. Leave him to be him. Let’s move on.”
He later added, dismissing the entire exchange: “There was no incident with me at the weigh-ins with Joaquin… I didn’t f*cking see him.”
Fight Analysis Reflection
Reflecting on the Garry vs. Prates fight, some observers felt disappointment that Garry didn`t secure a finish, and debated whether Carlos Prates missed an opportunity to capitalize in the closing moments. The scoring of the bout also drew discussion, with questions raised about whether Prates`s strong fifth round should have been scored more favorably than a standard 10-9 compared to the rounds Garry won.
How did you score the fight?
