Joaquin Buckley prepared to step in for Stephen Thompson at UFC 296 due to potential withdrawal

Joaquin Buckley has a hunch that Stephen Thompson won’t show up to fight Shavkat Rakhmonov.

Thompson (17-6-1 MMA, 12-6-1 UFC) is set to battle Rakhmonov (17-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) at UFC 296 on Dec. 16 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Buckley is anticipating a December return and is prepared to step in for Thompson if he can’t make the fight.

“For Dec. 16, I could definitely do that – easy work,” Buckley informed Middle Easy on making welterweight on short notice. “We looking at Shavkat and ‘Wonderboy’ fight. I mean no disrespect to ‘Wonderboy.’ He’s always been a tough guy and always willing to take a fight, but for some reason, it’s telling me he ain’t going to show up to that. Something tells me that ‘Wonderboy’ ain’t going to show up to that one, so let’s get ready.”

Buckley’s theory that Thompson will not show comes because “Wonderboy” publicly turned down a fight with Rakhmonov in the past.

“Fighters know fighters, man,” Buckley said. “To be honest with you, ‘Wonderboy’ for the longest time didn’t want to fight Shavkat, and I’m guessing the UFC gave him a good little bag in order to get up in there.

“Regardless, this sport is all mental, so for some reason, I’m throwing up a little lob. I don’t think ‘Wonderboy’ is going to be able to make it to that cage for whatever odd reason, so let’s get ready.”

Buckley (17-6 MMA, 7-4 UFC) has found success since dropping back down to 170 pounds, scoring back-to-back wins over Andre Fialho and Alex Morono.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 296.

Story originally appeared on MMA Junkie