Fresh off one of the most spectacular -- and most-viewed -- knockouts in mixed martial arts history, UFC middleweight Joaquin Buckley is ready to get back to work.
Buckley (11-3) has agreed to face Jordan Wright (11-0) at UFC 255 on Nov. 21. Both sides have agreed to the bout, according to multiple sources. The event will take place at the Apex in Las Vegas.
Buckley, 26, is less than five days removed from one of the greatest knockouts of all time. He knocked Impa Kasanganay out in the second round of their middleweight contest at UFC Fight Night in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, with a spinning kick to the head, after Kasangay caught a body kick attempt.
UFC president Dana White told ESPN on Wednesday the highlight of Buckley's knockout has been viewed 60 million times on social media.
In a recent interview with ESPN, Buckley said he wasn't even sure if mixed martial arts was a viable career for him until last Saturday. He has been fighting professionally since 2014, but last weekend marked his first win in the UFC. He has maintained a second job at Walgreens during his UFC career.
"I was just being realistic," Buckley told ESPN's Ariel Helwani. "The years leading up to before me being signed with the UFC, I had to be very strategic on what I wanted to do with my life. Having a job, with a brand new baby right now. I didn't look at MMA to be my main career, but now that this kick happened and went viral, now it's a possibility MMA can be my main career."
Wright is an undefeated, six-year veteran of the sport. The 29-year-old has recorded finishes in all of his 11 pro wins, including 10 inside the first round.
