flag
back Back
Real Reason' Joaquin Buckley Refused to Shake Dana White's Hand at UFC Edmonton
@HappyPunch on X

Oct 18, 2026, 10:18 AM GMT+1

Nasir is a sports journalist and has previously worked for SPORTbible from 2016 to 2026. 

He helped grow, develop and expand SPORTbible's coverage of combat sports and worked closely with the UFC, the PFL and Matchroom Boxing. 

He has also contributed to AddictedMMA and CagePotato.

Nasir specialises in combat sports and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the fight game, including Conor McGregor, Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Tom Aspinall, while covering events in Las Vegas, New York, Dubai and Saudi Arabia, to name but a few. 

He has also covered a wide range of other sports during his time as a journalist, including football and cricket. 

Nasir graduated from Bath Spa University with a degree in Media Communications. 

Sign in to your GiveMeSport account

Joaquin Buckley appeared to hint at why he ignored Dana White's handshake at the UFC Edmonton weigh-ins.

UFC returned to Canada on Saturday as the famed Octagon set up shop in Edmonton, Alberta, for UFC Fight Night 291.

A welterweight clash between Buckley and Canada's Mike Malott headlined the card. Buckley was aiming to snap a two-fight losing skid following losses to Kamaru Usman and Sean Brady, while Malott was looking for a fifth straight UFC win.

The 32-year-old St. Louis native went on to suffer a crushing defeat as Malott connected with a brutal knee in the second round.

Dana White Reacts to Joaquin Buckley Ignoring His Handshake

Joaquin Buckley
UFC on Paramount+ (X account)

Naturally, White was asked about Buckley's weigh-in controversy and interview in his post-fight press conference.

Asked what he made of Buckley's behaviour, the UFC boss replied: "I have no idea. You know, all of these guys deal with fight week differently, and everybody’s pretty nasty as you get close to the weigh-ins. They have been cutting, they have been training, nagging injuries, away from their families and loved ones, away from food and water and lots of things like that."

He continued: "I have been in this business for so long. You can’t take any of that type of stuff personal. I used to stick my head in the night of the fights and go in and wish everybody luck. But now, I just stay out of everybody’s way, and you know. However, you are dealing with fight week is your business and your deal, and yeah, it’s all good."

The reporter later followed up by asking whether Buckley's actions had bothered him at all, to which White replied by making a joke.

"As soon as he lost, I told Hunter cut him," he said, before bursting out in laughter.

Joaquin Buckley Demanded Explanation Before Dana White Handshake Snub

Joaquin Buckley knocks out Impa Kasanganay

The apparent reason behind Buckley's handshake snub seems to stem from his frustration at being overlooked for a UFC title shot during his stellar run from 2023 to 2024.

The American went on a six-fight winning streak, beating the likes of Stephen Thompson and Colby Covington.

Despite his impressive form, he was snubbed of a UFC title fight, which he brought up ahead of his main-event slot against Malott.

"I don’t want to make it sound like anything, but even though I lost both of my fights back-to-back, I feel like I could have had an opportunity a long time ago to fight for that title," he told UFC on Paramount+ during a fight week interview.

"Regardless of what people think about my style... I knew that I had the tools to give Islam some real problems."

'New Mansa' added: "I always go back to 2024, you talk about that six-fight win streak... knocking out three ranked opponents (in 2024). I was fighting. I was winning. I was knocking people out.

"I would really like to know why I didn’t get the shot over JDM.”

You may like

Watch police officer knock out a fan while breaking up crowd brawl at UFC Edmonton

bloodyelbow.com 34 minutes ago

‘World’s Strongest Dwarf’ Viciously Knocks Out Streamer in One-Sided MMA Bout

givemesport.com 1 day ago

Boxer storms out of ring as he suffers ‘robbery’ in British title fight according to Tyson Fury

sportbible.com 13 hours ago

Last fighter to beat Kayla Harrison begs the UFC to sign her: ‘I don’t know what else I need to do’

bloodyelbow.com 17 hours ago

UFC Star Snubs Dana White's Handshake and Gives Bizarre Interview Ahead of Fight Night 291

givemesport.com 1 day ago

Daniel Dubois retains WBO title with crushing second-round win over Fabio Wardley

channel103.com 7 hours ago

Derek Chisora says Moses Itauma should face KO artist heavyweight in comeback fight

boxingnewsonline.net 57 minutes ago

Dana White on Jasmine Jasudavicius’s Win at UFC Edmonton

heavy.com 7 hours ago