Joaquin Buckley chats with Sports Illustrated about his viral knockout of Impa Kasanganay in Abu Dhabi, his take on Saturday’s Brian Ortega-Chan Sung-Jung fight and the next step in his career.

Joaquin Buckley finished Impa Kasanganay last week in their UFC fight with the single most vicious knockout of the year.

Buckley hit Kasanganay with a picturesque spin back thrust kick, ending the fight just two minutes into the second round.

The 26-year-old has been on nearly every single MMA highlight reel since last Saturday’s victory, but he has higher aspirations than being known for one physics-defying kick. The win against Kasanganay should elevate Buckley’s spot on upcoming cards, putting him in a position to challenge fighters closer to the top 20 in the middleweight division.

Back home in St. Louis, Missouri, Buckley spoke with Sports Illustrated to discuss his viral victory in Abu Dhabi, share his take on Saturday’s Brian Ortega-Chan