In the final UFC fight of 2024, three-time title challenger Colby Covington returned to the Octagon for a high-stakes welterweight showdown against streaking knockout artist Joaquin Buckley at UFC Tampa on Saturday night.
It was Covington’s first time competing since delivering a lackluster performance against then-welterweight titleholder Leon Edwards around this same time last year. Meanwhile, ‘New Mansa’ has been bodying opponents while climbing his way up the rankings, including a vicious third-round KO of Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson in his last outing at UFC 307 in October.
Round 1
Buckley immediately looks to impose his will on Covington with the striking. Buckley lands a couple of shots to the body as Covington has offered little offense through the first 90 seconds. Buckley throws a combination, but can’t quite hit the mark. Covington shoots in for his first takedown of the fight, but Buckley quickly stuffs it and catches Covington with a shot that cuts open Covington’s right eye. Covington is wiping at the eye repeatedly and Buckley lands a nice kick to the body.
As the crowd starts to chant “Colby sucks,” Covington tries to respond with a few strikes that had Buckley backing away. Covington returns with a head kick before eating a combination from Buckley in return. Covington shoots in for another takedown near the four-minute mark, but Buckley again stuffs it and continues to bloody Covington with a bevy of strikes. Covington throws a head kick in the waning seconds and Buckley counters with a right hand that drops Covington. Buckley fires some ground-and-pound shots, but there’s not enough time to get the finish.
Round 2
Covington comes out swinging away early, but can’t close the distance. Covington tries to punch his way into a takedown attempt, but Buckley stuffs it again and lands a knee to the body. Buckley once again goes to the body, this time with a right hook. Covington again shoots for a takedown, pressing Buckley against the fence. Covington locks his hands together and gets Buckley down to the mat with a little more than three minutes to go in the round.
Buckley is fighting hard to get back up, but Covington puts him flat on his back. After a minute, Buckley muscles his way back up and returns to the center of the Octagon. Buckley lands a left hand and then throws a couple of kicks, one to the head and another to the body. Buckley lands a right followed by a stiff calf kick. Covington swings back and lands a right of his own. Buckley responds with a nasty-looking jab. Buckley starts to tee off as Covington’s eye continues to be a problem.
Round 3
Covington immediately looks for an early takedown and Buckley quickly fends it off. Buckley fires a head kick and Covington comes back with a tornado kick. Buckley throws a few shots in close that prompts Covington to shoot in for a takedown. Buckley stuffs it and briefly mounts Covington, but ‘Chaos’ scrambles his way out of danger and back on his feet.
Covington’s face is a bloody mess due to the cut on his right eyelid. There’s a good chance the fight will be called if Covington can’t pull out a miracle. Covington shoots in for a desperation takedown, but Buckley again stuffs it and gets on top of Covington. Buckley takes Covington’s back momentarily. Covington tries to escape out the back door and Buckley nearly catches him in an inverted triangle. Covington escapes and gets on top, settling into Buckley’s guard.
Buckley wall-walks his way back up. Covington tries to muscle him back down, but Buckley stops the attempt and separates. At that point, referee Dan Miragliotta pauses the bout to have the cageside physician check on Covington’s eye. It doesn’t take long for her to determine that Covington is unfit to continue, bringing a stop to the fight after nearly three rounds.
Official Result: Joaquin Buckley def. Colby Covington via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) at 4:42 of Round 3
Check Out Highlights From Joaquin Buckley vs. Colby Covington at UFC Tampa:
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https://x.com/UFCFRA/status/1868181046845690266
https://x.com/UFCFRA/status/1868180939643171232
