Israel Adesanya isn’t hiding how he feels about Joaquin Buckley.
The former UFC middleweight champion had some harsh words for the outspoken welterweight following his loss to Kamaru Usman at UFC Atlanta. While Buckley had been on a six-fight win streak since dropping to 170, Adesanya made it clear he’s never been a fan.
This past Saturday, Usman stepped back into the Octagon for the first time since October 2023. After spending months nursing injuries, “The Nigerian Nightmare” returned with a vengeance, using his wrestling to dominate Buckley through three rounds. Buckley showed flashes of danger in the final frame, but it wasn’t enough. Usman left Atlanta with a unanimous decision win, and Adesanya had plenty to say about Buckley afterward.
In a reaction video on his YouTube channel, Israel Adesanya let it rip.
“I hate this [expletive], bro,” Adesanya said. “I don’t even use the word ‘hate’ lightly but I hate this [expletive], bro. Something about him just [expletive] annoys me. The coolest thing about him is that kick. I respect that.”
“Literally, I’m just trying to chill, talk. ‘Hey man, we’ve gotta get this going, duh duh duh duh duh duh,’ like he’s rapping. Every single time. He’s just so [expletive] annoying. At one point I literally walked away while he was talking … and I think he didn’t like that, so he went against me since then. But [expletive] the dude. Maybe I’m a hater, bro. Maybe I’m just a hater.”
Adesanya was referring to Buckley’s viral 2020 knockout of Impa Kasanganay, often labeled one of the greatest in UFC history. That moment earned his respect—but little else.
The bad blood didn’t start at UFC Atlanta. Buckley previously joked on The Joe Rogan Experience that a technical breakdown he gave on Adesanya contributed to “Izzy’s” recent losing streak. Since knocking out Alex Pereira in 2023, Israel Adesanya hasn’t picked up a win.
As Usman turned in a vintage performance against Buckley, Adesanya seemed satisfied with how things played out. But Buckley wasn’t about to let the insults slide. He clapped back the following Monday on X.
“Hate the farmer that took yo belt [expletive], not me. #HateTheBoer[expletive]. Stand on business bout Africa or China or wherever the [expletive] you from, bitch.”
Buckley, who began his UFC run at middleweight, has always brought energy and aggression inside the cage. After a rocky stretch at 185 pounds, his drop to welterweight in 2023 revived his career—until now. Saturday’s loss to Usman halted a six-fight win streak, but Buckley isn’t backing down from anyone, especially not Israel Adesanya.
The tension between these two isn’t going anywhere. Both men bring heat on the mic and in the cage and if the war of words continues, don’t be surprised if the UFC finds a way to turn it into a real fight down the line.
