Joaquin Buckley Embraces Authentic Self Ahead of UFC Edmonton Main Event

Joaquin Buckley is set for one of the most pivotal fights of his career as he headlines UFC Edmonton this Saturday against Mike Malott, marking the promotion's return to Canada. Entering the contest on a two-fight skid, "New Mansa" is looking to get his momentum back on track while also ramping up his presence across social media.

Buckley recently shared a clip on Instagram demonstrating his coaching of the "Herb Dean drill," a training exercise where participants work against each other on a heavy bag. Speaking to MMA Fighting, Buckley praised the drill and mentioned that while he was pleased to see referees deduct points during Saturday’s UFC Vegas 122 event, he believes more changes can still be made regarding officiating.

The content push reflects a significant personal evolution for Buckley, who tried similar approaches over three years ago without the same conviction or support. Without a team around him at the time to manage and post content, he was navigating the space entirely on his own.

“I didn’t trust myself, you know what I mean?” Buckley told MMA Fighting. “I wasn’t confident within myself at the time of what I was doing and really trying to figure it out. I didn’t have a team at the time, like I didn’t have people like to really post it for me and stuff like that.

... But I just have to say that I trust myself now. I’m not talking about no cage stuff, I’m talking about really just, authentically, giving my real personality out there to the world and really showing people who I am.”