All appeared to be going splendid for Stephen Thompson until he ended up face first on the canvas midway through Round 3 of his UFC 307 bout.
The party responsible for the violent jumping knockout was Joaquin Buckley (19-6 MMA, 9-4 UFC), who crumpled “Wonderboy” Thompson (17-7-1 MMA, 12-7-1 UFC) with a jumping right hook that ended the fight at 2:17 of Round 3.
The welterweight bout closed out the UFC 307 preliminary card at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.
Buckley was the aggressor for much of the three-round bout, as Thompson played role of matador to his bull. Thompson counter strikes landed on Buckley on a few occasions, but that didn’t deter the pressure put forth.
Thompson fended off many of Buckley’s takedown attempts and made it seemingly impossible to be controlled for any significant period of time.
Right after a big head kick landed for Thompson in the opening two minutes of the third round, Buckley finally found a home for the big shot. He jumped in the air and landed a big right hook that sent Thompson on all fours.
Joaquin Buckley 😬 pic.twitter.com/GRe2cua1g8
— Jason Williams (@jasoneg33) October 6, 2024
After the win, which was Buckley’s fourth in a row, he called out former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. Buckley defeated Andre Fialho, Alex Morono, and Nursulton Ruziboev in succession prior to Saturday’s fight.
Thompson, 41, has now lost back-to-back fights and four of his most recent five.
He knows who he wants next 👀@NewMansa94 wants Kamaru Usman for his next opponent! #UFC307 pic.twitter.com/yPXz7Chu4w
— UFC (@ufc) October 6, 2024
Up-to-the-minute UFC 307 results include:
- Joaquin Buckley def. Stephen Thompson via knockout (punches) – Round 3, 2:17
- Iasmin Lucindo def. Marina Rodriguez via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Alexander Hernandez def. Austin Hubbard via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
- Cesar Almeida def. Ihor Potieria via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Ryan Spann def. Ovince Saint Preux via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 1:35
- Tecia Pennington def. Carla Esparza via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Court McGee def. Tim Means via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:19
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.
