Joaquin Buckley dominated Colby Covington in a bloody affair at UFC Tampa. (Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Joaquin Buckley could have hammered the ultimate nail into the coffin of Colby Covington’s run as a title contender.
The fast-rising welterweight badly battered and bloodied Covington in a one-sided affair to win through physician’s stoppage and prolong his six-fight win streak Saturday night time in the principle occasion of UFC Tampa. With Covington’s face drenched in crimson and a large lower hanging open over his proper eye, the ringside doctor lastly mercifully stopped the competition on the 4:42 mark of the third spherical.
“I do know that ain’t the battle that y’all actually needed. I do know we spilled a little bit blood, however I do know you needed to see a knockout, man,” a grinning Buckley mentioned afterward. “So my dangerous, y’all.”
Matched towards probably the most high-profile opponent of his profession, Buckley (21-6) placed on a clinic. He landed large bombs on Covington (17-5) from the opening bell and simply defended the three-time title challenger’s takedown makes an attempt. Buckley, 30, practically completed the job early, pulling down Covington with a depraved proper hand within the closing seconds of Round 1, then continued to discover a dwelling for that proper hand anytime he seemed for it within the second and third frames.
Covington, 36, lastly secured a takedown in Round 2 however was unable to do a lot with it. His face was a bloody mess by begin of the third, prompting the physician to warn him that she would not let the injury to his proper eye get a lot worse. That solely spurred Buckley on to unload additional punishment, and after the 2 battled for a bit on the bottom, that warning proved prophetic as Buckley was declared the winner.
Now an ideal 6-0 with 4 highlight-reel knockouts since shifting again right down to the welterweight division, Buckley threw out three names to gauge crowd opinion on his subsequent opponent — former UFC welterweight champions Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman, in addition to present champion Belal Muhammad. In the tip, he settled on one of many former champs.
A former interim UFC champion, Covington has now misplaced 4 of his previous six bouts.
In the night time’s co-main occasion, featherweight stalwart Cub Swanson (30-14) turned in one other gem at age 41. Already a UFC Hall of Famer for his basic 2016 warfare of attrition with Doo Ho Choi, Swanson simply couldn’t assist himself towards Billy Quarantillo (18-7). The WEC veteran as soon as once more bought drawn right into a back-and-forth dogfight solely to emerge with probably the most vicious highlights of the night time, scoring a picture-perfect knockout on the 1:36 mark of the third spherical.
Afterward, Swanson gave the impression to be on the verge of retiring however finally didn’t fairly get there.
“I sort of informed me spouse that this is perhaps the final one, so we’ll see,” Swanson mentioned. “I’m sort of outdated, guys. I wish to see I recognize you letting a 41-year-old dad come out right here and entertain you.”
UFC Tampa came about on the Amalie Arena and served as the ultimate UFC occasion of 2024.
For extra on UFC Tampa, take a look at full outcomes and highlights beneath, in addition to Uncrowned’s play-by-play of the Buckley vs. Covington essential occasion.
Main Card
Joaquin Buckley def. Colby Covington through TKO (physician’s stoppage) at 4:42 of Round 3 | Watch end
Cub Swanson def. Billy Quarantillo KO (punches) at 1:36 of Round 3 | Watch finish
Manel Kape def. Bruno Silva through TKO (punches) at 1:57 of Round 3 | Watch end
Dustin Jacoby def. Vitor Petrino through KO (punch) at 3:44 of Round 3 | Watch finish
Daniel Marcos def. Adrian Yanez through break up resolution (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
Covington’s proper eye is a catastrophe now. He’s warned that the ringside physician is not going to let it get a lot worse. Buckley shucks off a lazy takedown try then unloads a high-low flurry. Buckley is swinging for the fences right here. Man, Covington is consuming some pictures right here. Terrible takedown try by Covington and it fails utterly — Buckley jumps on high of him and swarms. They retake their toes and Buckley is teeing off now. Covington’s face is a crimson masks. Jab, left hook for Buckley. He’s feeling himself now.
Buckley simply spawls a Covington takedown try then smothers Covington from high place. Covington continues to carry onto a leg within the scramble however Buckley is simply too highly effective. He’s education Covington on the mat proper now. Oh wow, Buckley hunts for a triangle from Covington’s again. He cannot get it however that was sick. Covington leads to high place with two minutes to work, however each he and Buckley are coated in his personal blood. This is perhaps stopped between rounds if neither man finds a end. Covington continues to work brief punches from high management. Buckley strikes to the fence and makes use of it to face. He cannot cease smiling. The physician involves test on Covington — and this one is over!
The physician stops it. His proper eye is totally destroyed.
Colby Covington vs. Joaquin Buckley – Round 2
Buckley comes out with a pep in his step. He pumps a jab repeatedly into Covington’s mug. Covington tries to punch his approach right into a far-away takedown however he is cannot get it. Buckley digs a monster proper hook into the physique. Slick mixture for Buckley as he goes high-low. Covington tries to power the difficulty with a double-leg towards the fence — and he lastly will get one. Covington turns the nook and strikes into aspect management. Let’s see what he can do with this.
Buckley reclaims his half guard. Covington working high place with brief punches and elbows. Buckley occasions it completely his explodes to his toes. Covington is leaking badly from close to his proper eye. Buckley goes again to his bag with excessive and low kicks to the top, physique and legs. Stiff proper hand from Buckley. Slick counter proper from Buckley as Covington sloppily rushes inside. Buckley is discovering a house together with his proper hand anytime he needs it. Buckley taunts him because the spherical involves an finish.
Buckley 10-9. (Buckley 20-18.)
Colby Covington vs. Joaquin Buckley – Round 1
Here we go, y’all. Main occasion time. Derek Cleary, Eric Colon and Chris Lee are your three cageside judges. Veteran referee Dan Miragliotta is the third man within the cage. No glove contact right here. Let’s do that. Buckley comes out sizzling, taking the middle of the cage and urgent the motion. Covington circles and tosses out a low kick. Buckley is throwing warmth however cannot discover his vary but. One-two from Buckley misses. Covington adjustments ranges for a takedown however will get instantly stuffed. That felt large.
Buckley is beginning to land now. Covington is already wanting marked up and bleeding from his head. Big left hand for Buckley. “COLBY SUCKS!” chant from this Florida crowd. Covington seems gradual out right here. Buckley wades inside with a mix — that was good. Covington bull-rushes into the fence and tries to work for a single-leg takedown, however Buckley is having none of it. Total denial. Three-punch mixture for Buckley. Covington is bleeding profusely from his face. Big proper hand drops Covington!!!
Rooooough spherical for the three-time title challenger.
Buckley 10-9.
Colby Covington is strolling out with Hulk Hogan
American flags in every single place. Yes, that is taking place.
Swanson maaaaaybe retires?
But additionally, possibly not? He says he promised his spouse tonight can be the final one, but in addition would not fairly decide to that. So, hey — we’ll see?
Swanson response
Beautiful, clear lead left hook adopted by a proper cross from the ageless Cub Swanson. Gosh.
Cub Swanson def. Billy Quarantillo KO (punches) at 1:36 of Round 3
What is it within the water down there it in Tampa???
For actual, Cub Swanson simply did horrible, horrible issues to Billy Quarantillo. That was vicious. A one-two from Swanson, ending with a proper hand, sending “Billy Q” crashing backward onto the mat. Quarantillo’s head smashes violently onto the canvas. Man.
Kape reactions
Well, Pantoja could have discovered his subsequent foe in any case. That was the efficiency Kape wanted. (Weird end and all.)
That was the flyweight model of the Diaz promo (similar state + remaining present of the 12 months) on Fox after the Johnson win. 9 years in the past! 🤯
145 kilos: Cub Swanson (+130) vs. Billy Quarantillo (-160)
Cub Swanson nonetheless has violence to ship.
The WEC OG notches battle No. 44 of his thrilling profession when he collides with Billy Quarantillo. Swanson, 41, is clearly within the twilight of his MMA run, having returned to featherweight two fights in the past after a stint at bantamweight. Despite his age, Swanson has seemingly caught a second wind, choosing up a robust latest win over Hakeem Dawodu earlier than dropping a controversial break up resolution to fellow veteran Andre Fili.
Swanson is a strong and highly effective boxer who mixes in his kicks brutally when comfy. Quarantillo shall be pleased to have interaction in a possible warfare, however may try to take the motion to the mat if wanted.
Quarantillo, 36, is not in a spring rooster both, however he carries much less put on and tear and might put anybody’s lights out, each with punches and highly effective knees. Unfortunately for the legendary featherweight, Quarantillo’s versatile offense shall be an excessive amount of for Swanson to deal with en path to a late TKO loss.
Pick: Quarantillo
Manel Kape def. Bruno Silva through TKO (punches) at 1:57 of Round 3
SHEEEESH
Manel Kape would possibly’ve simply earned himself a title shot. WHEW BOY, THAT WAS IMPRESSIVE. He simply demolished Bruno Silva with absolute ferocity within the third spherical.
Kape follows that up by planting himself subsequent to UFC CEO Dana White and pleading his case for the following shot at UFC champ Alexandre Pantoja.
Manel Kape vs. Bruno Gustavo da Silva – Prediction
125 kilos: Manel Kape (-375) vs. Bruno Gustavo da Silva (+290)
Manel Kape’s UFC profession has been such a weird trip.
I had extraordinarily excessive hopes for the previous RIZIN bantamweight champion when he signed in 2021 off a win over Kai Asakura. After a hesitant UFC debut towards the now-flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja, “Starboy” by no means fairly returned to that very same confidence degree we noticed from him in Japan.
Nonetheless, Kape remains to be the most effective flyweights on the earth and matchmaking him towards Bruno Gustavo da Silva is admittedly odd contemplating their rankings. However, Silva has gained 4 in a row by end — three knockouts, one submission — since dropping three straight to begin his UFC run.
Kape, 31, is just the extra seasoned and proficient competitor total. A pointy and affected person striker when vital, Kape has explosive punches and takedowns that may give Silva issues.
Silva, 34, should land first, however Kape will not give him the possibility. A rebound win looms for the previous RIZIN champion after his controversial resolution loss to Muhammad Mokaev this previous July.
Pick: Kape
Dustin Jacoby def. Vitor Petrino through KO (punch) at 3:44 of Round 3
Oh my lord what a proper hand by Jacoby. That spun Petrino’s physique all the way in which round. RIDICULOUS WORK.
