Joaquin Buckley

Who is Joaquin Buckley?

Joe is joined by Joaquin Buckley, a mixed martial artist competing in the UFC's Middleweight Division. https://www.ufc.com/athlete/joaquin-buckley

Topics and Timestamps

• 01Joaquin Buckley discusses his journey from street life to becoming a UFC middleweight fighter
• 02The mental and physical challenges of competing at the highest level of MMA
• 03How fighting helped him escape a dangerous lifestyle and criminal environment
• 04Training regimen, fighting style, and preparation for UFC competition
• 05Personal growth through martial arts and the discipline required in the sport
• 06Experiences dealing with adversity and using fighting as a path to redemption
• ▶Buckley explains his background and how he got into fighting0:05:30
• ▶Discussion about using MMA as an escape from street life0:15:45
• ▶Breaking down fight preparation and training intensity0:35:20
• ▶Talk about mental toughness and refusing to quit in fights0:48:15
• ▶Buckley reflects on his growth and what fighting means to him0:58:30

The Show

Joe brings on Joaquin Buckley, a middleweight fighter who's carved out an unlikely path to the UFC. What makes Buckley's story compelling is that he didn't grow up in a traditional martial arts family or have access to elite coaching from day one. He came from a rough background where fighting was sometimes a survival mechanism before it became a sport and career.

The conversation dives into how Buckley used MMA as an escape route from street life and the people around him pulling him toward criminal activity. Joe and Joaquin talk about the mental fortitude required to not just compete in the UFC but to survive the journey getting there. It's not just about physical training, it's about making better choices every single day and surrounding yourself with people who want to see you succeed.

Buckley breaks down what it takes to prepare for fights at this level, the constant grind of training, and how you have to be obsessed with the process rather than just the outcome. They discuss the reality of fighting bigger, stronger, more experienced opponents and what separates the guys who make it from the ones who don't. A lot of it comes down to mental toughness and refusing to quit when things get hard, which is a theme that runs through Buckley's whole life story.

The discussion touches on fighting styles, weight cuts, the business side of the UFC, and what it's like to be an up and coming fighter trying to get noticed. Buckley is honest about the struggles and doesn't romanticize the journey, but he's also clear that fighting saved his life in multiple ways. Joe clearly respects the grind and Buckley's willingness to face down legitimate competition without making excuses.

Best Quotes