UFC Tampa saw another electrifying fight night on December 14, 2024, as Joaquin Buckley delivered a stunning victory over Colby Covington. The fight, held at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, highlighted Buckley’s rise through the ranks of the welterweight division. Buckley ended the match with a technical knockout (TKO) at 4:42 of the third round, after medical intervention due to Covington’s extreme facial injuries.
From the opening bell, Buckley wasted no time, showcasing his aggressive fighting style. He quickly established dominance, opening up a deep cut on Covington’s right eyelid, which became increasingly problematic for the ex-champion. Covington, known for his resilience, found himself on the defensive as Buckley's powerful strikes kept landing, leading to extensive bleeding and visibility issues.
“It was my night, and I feel like I showcased my skills against one of the best,” Buckley said after the match. His victory solidified his sixth consecutive win, making him one of the most formidable contenders for the title.
Colby Covington, on the other hand, faced criticism for his performance. The fighter, who aimed for another shot at the title, struggled to maintain his strategy against Buckley’s relentless assault. “I wanted to continue, but the doctor had to make the right call for my health,” Covington expressed, visibly upset over the decision to stop the fight.
Other highlights from the night included Cub Swanson’s notable victory over Billy Quarantillo. At 41, Swanson proved he still has what it takes, finishing Quarantillo with a knockout late in the third round. “I’m not done yet! I still have more fights left,” Swanson declared vigorously.
Meanwhile, Brazilian fighters faced mixed results during the event. Felipe Lima garnered his second consecutive win against Miles Johns via unanimous decision, marking him as one of the brighter spots for Brazilian representation. Conversely, Bruno Bulldog faced defeat at the hands of Manel Kape, who claimed victory by TKO.
Despite the losses, Lima’s strong performance gave fans something to cheer about. He managed to control the fight effectively, utilizing his distance and kicks to wear down Johns. By the end of the match, the judges unanimously scored the bout 30-27 in favor of Lima.
Unfortunately, Vitor Petrino experienced another setback, suffering a TKO loss to Dustin Jacoby. The fight seemed promising for Petrino during the early rounds, but everything changed when Jacoby landed a devastating shot.
Prior to these fights, Buckley had expressed his confidence, stating, “I wanted this fight. I know I can beat him.” His performance certainly reflected those words, showcasing his ability not only to keep control of the fight but to finish strong.
Overall, UFC Tampa delivered fireworks, with seven of the thirteen bouts resulting in knockouts. Buckley's victory added to the event’s excitement and set the stage for his potential rise to the championship fight.
The results of the main card were as follows:
- Joaquin Buckley defeated Colby Covington via TKO (doctor stoppage) - Round 3
- Cub Swanson defeated Billy Quarantillo via KO - Round 3
- Manel Kape defeated Bruno “Bulldog” Silva via TKO - Round 3
- Dustin Jacoby defeated Vitor Petrino via TKO - Round 3
- Daniel Marcos defeated Adrian Yanez via decision
- Navajo Stirling defeated Tuco Tokkos via decision
With the conclusion of the event, fans are eager to see where Buckley will go next and whether Covington can bounce back from this loss. The welterweight division is heating up, and Buckley is now undoubtedly a name to watch.
