LAS VEGAS – Chris Curtis got back on the winning track in spectacular fashion on Saturday when he stopped Joaquin Buckley at UFC 282.
After a somewhat tentative first round in the middleweight fight at T-Mobile Arena, the trajectory of the contest changed in the second frame. Curtis (30-9 MMA, 4-1 UFC) caught a high kick attempt from Buckley (15-6 MMA, 5-4 UFC) and loaded up a vicious left hand that led to a big knockdown.
Curtis swarmed Buckley once he hit the mat and forced the referee to stop the fight after landing follow-up shots. Check out the highlight below (via Twitter):
ACTION-MAN INDEED BROUGHT THE ACTION 😤 #UFC282 pic.twitter.com/e9JN6rH8j8
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) December 11, 2022
The lead-up to the fight was a bit spicy as Curtis and Buckley got heated at weigh-ins. Curtis was graceful in victory, however, and said he has no ill will.
“No bad blood,” Curtis told Joe Rogan in their post-fight interview. “He’s trying to sell the fight. I have respect for him. Coming into this fight win, lose or draw, I know Joaquin Buckley is one of the best in the division.”
With Sean Strickland in his corner, Chris Curtis was hyped as he walked past press row following a nasty KO win at #UFC282.
Full results: https://t.co/dmzeARcbiS pic.twitter.com/zmOQEYaaNQ
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) December 11, 2022
Up-to-the-minute UFC 282 results include:
- Chris Curtis def. Joaquin Buckley via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 2:49
- Billy Quarantillo def. Alexander Hernandez via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:30
- T.J. Brown def. Erik Silva via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 3, 3:41
- Cameron Saaiman def. Steven Koslow via TKO (punches, knees) – Round 3, 4:13
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 282.
