Joaquin Buckley vs. Nursulton Ruziboev: Preview, Where to Watch and Betting Odds

Streaking American Joaquin Buckley confronts Uzbek Nursulton Ruziboev in a welterweight clash in the co-main event of UFC on ESPN 56. The Uzbek is perfect in the UFC, with two knockouts since a 2023 debut. Both fighters head into the Octagon in good form and full of confidence. The oddsmakers favor the St. Louis-born American, fighting in front of his home crowd. Both fighters will be making a quick turnaround from fighting a couple of months ago.

MMA: UFC Welterweight

Where to Watch: ESPN/ESPN+

Venue: Enterprise Center, St. Louis, Missouri

Date: 12.05.2024. 04:00

The ranked American striker is on a three-fight winning streak since moving down to 170 pounds following a loss to Chris Curtis in late 2022. Joaquin Buckley, who made his promotional debut in August 2020, has defeated Andre Fialho, Alex Murono, and veteran contender Vicente Luque to climb to number eleven in the Welterweight rankings. Formerly with Bellator MMA and LFA, Buckley became famous when his KO of Impa Kasanganay in 2020 went viral and won him several awards.

• Age: 30;
• Height: 5’8”;
• Weight: 170 lbs (77kg);
• Reach: 76”;
• Record: 18-6.

Born in Shahrixon, Uzbekistan, Nursulton Ruziboev is versed in karate and combat sambo and participated in hand-to-hand combat tournaments before transitioning to MMA. A former Middleweight champion in the Open Fighting Championship and WEF, Ruziboev debuted in the UFC last year, earning finishes in his two fights. The pair of wins brings his streak to ten consecutive victories. Still only 30, “Black” has forty-six MMA fights with twelve knockouts and twenty submissions.

• Age: 30;
• Height: 6’5”;
• Reach: 76”;
• Weight: 170 lbs;
• Record: 34-8-4 (2 draws, 2NC)

Nursulton Ruziboev is a 2.25 underdog on Bet365, with the favorite priced at 1.66 odds. Betway lists under 1.5 at 1.85 odds and 3.10 for the fight to go the distance. Joaquin Buckley to win by KO/TKO is 2.05 on 1XBET, with a KO/TKO for the underdog priced at 4.5. Read more.