Tampa, Florida: Joaquin Buckley Claims Victory Over Colby Covington
On Saturday night, Joaquin Buckley secured a significant victory in the UFC welterweight division, defeating Colby Covington via doctor’s stoppage due to a severe cut. This bout, which served as the headline match for the UFC’s closing card of 2024, took place at Amalie Arena, marking a thrilling end to the year for mixed martial arts fans in attendance.
Details of the Fight
The match concluded in the third round at the 4:42 mark when a cageside physician assessed Covington’s injury, a gash above his right eye, and deemed him unable to continue. This win extends Buckley’s impressive winning streak to six, improving his professional record to 21-6. Covington, former interim champion and veteran of the sport, now stands at 17-5, with this contest being his fourth loss in five fights.
Buckley’s path to victory was paved with well-placed strikes and effective tactics. Throughout the fight, he showcased his striking prowess by landing a total of 81 strikes to Covington’s 71. Notably, Buckley knocked Covington down with a powerful right hand just as the first round ended, a moment that illustrated his dominance early on.
What’s Next for Buckley?
In the immediate aftermath of his victory, Buckley engaged with the crowd, asking them who they would like to see him face next. He mentioned potential opponents, including current champion Belal Muhammad, Kamaru Usman, and Leon Edwards. The response seemed to lean towards Usman, who has been on a hiatus since his last fight in October 2023 and does not currently have a scheduled opponent.
The Shift in Welterweight Division
The fight reflects a changing era in the UFC’s welterweight division, where new talent like Buckley is beginning to emerge as previous champions like Usman and Covington are reaching the latter stages of their careers. Covington’s recent performances, now seeing a record of 1-3 in his last four appearances, suggest that he might also be nearing the end of his competitive days.
This transition is notable as other fighters, such as Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Machado Garry, are stepping into roles once held by established names, potentially paving the way for fresh matchups in the coming years.
The Impact of Covington’s Performance
Covington’s performance on Saturday was somewhat lackluster. Although he is known for his resilience and tactical fighting style, he was unable to take Buckley down effectively, managing only one successful takedown out of eight attempts. His entrance, accompanied by wrestling icons Hulk Hogan and Chael Sonnen, heightened expectations, but his inability to execute his game plan left him looking flat in the Octagon.
Conclusion
As Buckley finishes the year with a record of 3-0, including significant knockouts against both Covington and the renowned Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, he establishes himself as a formidable contender to be watched closely in the welterweight division. His trajectory signals a shift in the landscape of the sport as newer fighters step up to challenge long-standing contenders.
