Joaquin Buckley calls out Conor McGregor, Dana White says not happening

Eleventh-ranked welterweight Joaquin Buckley extended his winning streak to four consecutive fights on Saturday in the UFC St. Louis co-main event.  Buckley picked up a one-sided unanimous decision win over Nursulton Ruziboev and cut quite a promo in his post-fight interview.  

Buckley called out former two-division champion Conor McGregor following his win on Saturday, but the two will never stand across the octagon from each other.   

“Who do I want next, huh?  He’s got a fight already booked up, but it’s a massive name.  There’s only one name you should call out if you’re on this mic, a powerful name.  That name is Conor McGregor,” Buckley said in his post-fight interview.  

“You’re fighting at 170, but you ain’t fighting a welterweight.  You’re fighting a lightweight.  You’re fighting a lightweight midget.  Come at me, bro.  Come at me,” Buckley continued.  “You said you built your weight up but you’re bullying Sean O’Malley and Ryan Garcia.  Come and bully me, dog.  Come and bully me and let’s see what you’re really about.”  

McGregor is set to make his octagon return on June 29 in the UFC 303 main event against lightweight contender Michael Chandler.  It will be the first time McGregor has fought since suffering a broken leg in his UFC 264 loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021.

Buckley’s call out may have been entertaining, but UFC CEO Dana White isn’t entertaining the idea of it ever happening.  When asked during the post-fight press conference if there was any chance of the two fighting, White replied, ‘No.’  

Joaquin Buckley UFC St. Louis Octagon Interview