Stephen Thompson vs. Joaquin Buckley – Fight Preview & Analysis

UFC Fight Night: Pereira vs. Rountree Jr. is scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 5, 2024, in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. In this matchup on the fight card, Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson will take on Joaquin “New Mansa” Garcia in the Welterweight bout. You can view the complete UFC Fight Night card.

Thompson brings a unique orthodox fighting stance with an 75″ reach. In contrast, Garcia, an southpaw fighter, stands with a 76″ reach. These variations in their styles can have a significant impact inside the Octagon.

With a 46% striking accuracy, Thompson has shown his precision in landing significant strikes, averaging around 4.11 per minute. On the other hand, Garcia boasts a 36% striking accuracy, landing approximately 4.25 significant strikes per minute.

In this post, we will break down Stephen Thompson vs. Joaquin Buckley matchup. Let’s take a look at the fighter’s ages, their height, records, reach, fight stats, and more below ⤵

The 41-year-old, Stephen Thompson is coming in with a 17-7-1 record. Thompson will be fighting for the first time since a loss via submission against Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 296: Edwards vs. Covington in December.

Garcia, meanwhile, is coming off a unanimous decision win against Stephen Thompson on December 16, 2023, at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Nascimento and holds a 19-6-0 record.

Stephen Thompson has a orthodox fighting stance with an 75″ reach. The 30-year-old Joaquin Buckley is an southpaw fighter with a 76″ reach. An orthodox fighter stands with their left side forward and jabs with their left hand. The southpaw fighter is the opposite. Southpaw stands with their right side forward and jabs with their right hand. In most cases, orthodox fighters are right-handed; if you are left-handed, you fight southpaw.

Stephen Thompson stats

→ Thompson’s striking accuracy is 46%.
→ Thompson lands 4.11 significant strikes per minute.
→ Thompson’s takedown accuracy is 41%.
→ Thompson’s takedown average is 0.26 per 15 minutes.
→ Thompson’s takedown defense is 65%.

Thompson comes in with 46% striking accuracy, typically landing about 4.11 significant strikes every minute. Conversely, Garcia fires at 36% accuracy, landing about 4.25 significant strikes per minute. Stephen Thompson also has a 41% takedown accuracy and, on average, gets around 0.26 takedowns every 15 minutes, compared to Garcia’s 1.69 takedowns and 69% takedown accuracy.

Joaquin Buckley stats

→ Garcia’s striking accuracy is 36%.
→ Garcia lands 4.25 significant strikes per minute.
→ Garcia’s takedown accuracy is 44%.
→ Garcia’s takedown average is 1.69 per 15 minutes.
→ Garcia’s takedown defense is 69%.

Joaquin spent, on average, 10:13 minutes in the Octagon, and Stephen has an average fight time of 14:37 minutes.

Considering their records, fighting styles, and recent performances, this matchup looks to be an interesting clash of skills and strategies. Who will come out victorious, Stephen or Joaquin? Sound off in the comments.

You can view the scheduled UFC Fight Night fight card, upcoming UFC schedule 2024, and latest MMA news.