The highly anticipated UFC Fight Night event on December 14, 2024, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, marks the return of welterweight contenders Colby "Chaos" Covington and Joaquin "New Mansa" Buckley. This clash promises excitement as both fighters aim to inch closer to title shots, with Covington showcasing his grappling acumen and Buckley bringing his explosive knockout power.
Colby Covington, with a professional MMA record of 17 wins and 4 losses (12-4 in the UFC), stands at 5’11” and weighs 170 lbs. The 36-year-old southpaw has built his career on relentless pressure and cardio, making him one of the toughest fighters to face within the welterweight division. Covington's last outing ended unfavorably—a decision loss to Leon Edwards—culminated by nearly two years without victory. This fight is pivotal for him to reinvigorate his path to the title. Since parting ways with American Top Team, Covington has stepped up his training at MMA Masters, refining his previous techniques to add new dimensions to his game.
Meanwhile, Joaquin Buckley, entering the octagon with 20 wins against 6 losses (10-4 UFC), is also fighting from the southpaw stance at 5’10” with a 76” reach. At age 30, Buckley has recently reignited his career with impressive performances, currently on a five-fight streak and last defeating Stephen Thompson by knockout. Buckley’s recent success reflects his evolution within the welterweight division, showing great adaptability and ready to face the challenges posed by seasoned opponents like Covington.
This matchup is fascinating not only for its clash of styles but because it pits Covington's veteran wrestling prowess against Buckley’s explosive offensive skill set. Covington is known for his exceptional cardio and grappling ability, averaging 5.4 takedown attempts per five minutes throughout his career, with almost 88% success on takedowns. Buckley, with 14 of his 20 wins coming via KO, is no stranger to powerful strikes, often leveraging his reach to maintain distance before delivering lethal combinations.
Betting lines indicate rising support for Buckley, placing him at -300 against Covington’s +235. While Buckley has proven to be the more damaging striker, Covington has carved out victories against top competition, being adept at grappling exchanges and maintaining control within the octagon. Their fight dynamic could hinge on Covington's ability to drag Buckley to the mat and wear him down over the rounds, potentially exposing Buckley’s relative lack of experience in five-round bouts.
Adding intrigue to the event is the shared assessment of both fighters on the current state of the welterweight division, with Covington stating, "They're not ready for the five-round, main event spotlight" as he looks to establish himself as the top contender once more. Buckley shares these sentiments, proclaiming, "I might be able to steal...that spot," meaning his victory could mean significant titles and rankings for his career.
This UFC Fight Night card, which commences at 7 p.m. ET for prelims and transitions to the main card at 10 p.m. ET, also features several promising matchups including Cub Swanson vs. Billy Quarantillo and Petr Yan vs. Deiveson Figueiredo. The entire card is set to be streamed on ESPN+ and ESPN2, providing fans with multiple viewing options.
Despite being the underdog, Covington's experience and wrestling pedigree position him as the smart pick for many analysts considering his past accomplishments and ability to adjust his strategy mid-fight. A victory for Covington would not inform his own title chances but would also send ripples throughout the welterweight rankings, undermining Buckley’s momentum. The fight may well end via decision, as Covington’s tactical approach could prove decisive down the final rounds. Expect action when these two welterweights hit the cage, creating compelling drama for UFC enthusiasts and the combat sports world as Covington seeks to reclaim his spot among the elite, and Buckley aspires to cement his legacy.
The stakes are high, as UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Buckley promises to produce fireworks and may well decide the next challenger for the welterweight title.
