The co-main event of Saturday’s UFC Atlantic City card found Vicente Luque taking on Joaquin Buckley, with the latter filling in for Sean Brady.
For Buckley, a.k.a. “Newmansa,” it was almost certainly the biggest step up in competition in his career to date.
Buckley came out hot with a jumping sidekick that was checked by Luque and both fighters were off to the races. The two fighters exchanged kicks in space with Buckley finding the mark with some of his punching combinations.
Buckley continued to enter striking range with dangerous hooks momentarily backing Vicente to the cage with a solid counter strike that found its mark.
With seconds remaining in the round Vicente found the body with a kick before he was cornered against the side of the cage by Buckley’s pressure and footwork. A big swing and a miss by Buckley gave Vicente the perfect entry point for a deep takedown attempt at the end of the round.
To open the second Buckley continued to come forward with punches in bunches from all different angles. Buckley exploded with a jumping knee against the cage that narrowly missed.
Vicente continued to go to the bank with leg kicks with Joaquin progressively getting closer with his counter punches. Midway through the round Vicente shot for a seemingly halfhearted takedown that was stuffed by Buckley. With the resistance from Joaquin, Luque opted to go to his back and pull guard.
This would prove to be fatal decision for Luque as Buckley would tee off on him. Buckley rained down punches and kept raining down punches, connecting with many, before the fight was finally stopped when the ref stepped in.
Official Result: Joaquin Buckley def. Vicente Luque by TKO, Round 2, 3:17
