Joaquin Buckley announced himself as a genuine contender in the welterweight division after delivering a dominant performance against former interim champion Colby Covington at UFC Fight Night, held at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, on the morning of Sunday, December 15, 2024. Buckley emerged victorious via a third-round TKO, with the fight stopped by the doctor due to a nasty cut above Covington's right eye, which had been bleeding profusely since early on.
The bout was undeniably anti-climactic, but it highlighted Buckley’s crisp and powerful strikes, solidifying his status as one of the rising stars of the UFC. This fight serves as the final event of the year, epitomizing the exciting yet brutal nature of mixed martial arts as Buckley picked apart Covington, landing significant damage throughout.
“I think it’s Kamaru Usman, baby. Let’s go,” Buckley remarked post-fight, asking fans to help him select his next opponent. He cycled through names like Leon Edwards and current champion Belal Muhammad, but it was the potential fight with Usman, who is also seen as a major contender, which prompted the loudest cheers from the audience.
The co-main event featured veteran Cub Swanson, who proved age is just a number by delivering a knockout punch to Billy Quarantillo in the third round. Meanwhile, Angola’s Manel Kape had his own success, earning victory over Bruno Silva with another TKO finish, as he moved closer to title contention in the flyweight division.
The results on the main card were nothing short of exciting: Dustin Jacoby knocked out Vitor Petrino with authority, Daniel Marcos edged Adrian Yanez via split decision, and newcomer Navajo Stirling outpointed Tuco Tokkos, showcasing his grappling prowess to secure the unanimous judges’ decision.
On the promotional front, the event broke records for attendance, with 18,625 fans present, generating a live gate revenue of $3,060,000. The excitement surrounding the evening was palpable, with fans treated to 13 thrilling bouts overall, each displaying the harsh realities of combat sports.
Looking at the fight itself, Buckley reportedly dealt significant damage to Covington from the start. Early on, Buckley established his range with powerful strikes, and by the end of the first round, Covington, who historically boasts strong defense, found himself hindered by the cuts sustained from Buckley’s precise attacks.
Referee Dan Miragliotta consulted ringside doctors at the end of Round 3. At the time, Buckley appeared unperturbed, consistently dictacting the pace as Covington struggled to defend against the relentless outpouring of strikes. The doctor determined Covington was unfit to continue due to the cut, halting the fight with only 18 seconds remaining.
For Buckley, the victory not only enhances his knockout credentials but also sets him solidly within title contention discussions. The welterweight division is becoming increasingly crowded with young talent such as Buckley, Shavkat Rakhmonov, Sean Brady, and Ian Machado Garry all vying for opportunities, with Covington’s recent struggles indicating perhaps the changing of the guard at 170-pounds.
With this victory, Buckley improved his record to 21 wins and 6 losses, extending his winning streak to six, and he is prepared to take the fight to the next level. His unconventional post-fight callout method—throwing names to the audience to gauge reactions—definitely adds drama to the narrative surrounding rising fighters wanting to stake their claim to the title.
The UFC is set to return for more action on January 12, 2025, with another Fight Night scheduled at the APEX Facility in Las Vegas, which will feature additional exciting matchups including Amanda Ribas taking on Mackenzie Dern.
Overall, UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Buckley concluded 2024 with fireworks, illustrating the thrilling unpredictability of MMA as well as the potential rise of new champions.
