In the biggest going, former UFC welterweight champion Colby Covington makes his long-awaited return to the octagon after nearly a year, facing off against Joaquin Buckley in the main event. Covington has secured victories in two of his last five bouts, whereas Buckley has achieved a streak of five consecutive wins.
In the co-main event, seasoned UFC fighters Cub Swanson and Billy Quarantillo clash in an exciting featherweight showdown.
Look at the fight card for UFC Tampa below.
Main card (ESPN2/ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET)
Colby Covington faces off against Joaquin Buckley.
Buckley hails from East St. Louis and proudly holds the position of the eighth-ranked fighter in his division. He is compact, robust, intensely energetic, and immensely strong. He steps into this battle with remarkable momentum.
Buckley started as a +145 underdog in this matchup against Colby Covington, but the odds quickly shifted from Covington to Buckley in a brief period.
The market appears confident that Buckley is set to triumph over sixth-ranked Covington.
Covington emerges as a figure that sparks considerable debate. Some individuals despise him, while others recognize that his unpredictable UFC persona is merely a tactic crafted to embrace the role of the villain, drawing in viewers eager to witness either his triumph or his defeat.
In this matchup, Covington stands out as the taller and longer competitor within the cage. He will possess a significant advantage in terms of experience compared to Buckley. He has faced a much tougher group of opponents than his rival has.
Covington’s wrestling prowess is unparalleled. Buckley’s wrestling, while improved, does not reach the level of Covington’s. Covington employs a strategy of volume striking to create openings for his wrestling, whereas Buckley leverages his wrestling skills to maintain the fight on his feet, allowing him to close the distance and unleash powerful strikes and kicks on his opponent.
Buckley’s strikes deliver devastating consequences to his opponents. He’s incredibly quick and comes into this match with a winning streak of five consecutive fights, though those victories were against competitors who are not top-tier in the division.
As the battle commences, Buckley’s explosive energy and fierce aggression will collide with Covington’s relentless wrestling pressure, driving him forward without pause. The sheer force and intensity of Buckley’s strikes will challenge Covington’s relentless capacity to maintain peak performance for the entire twenty-five minutes of battle.
This fight is all about raw power clashing with endurance and clever strategy. Although Buckley possesses youth, speed, and aggression, I am convinced that Covington will push him into the later rounds, where exhaustion can turn even the boldest into the timid.
As the bout progresses into the later rounds, anticipate Covington’s cunning, seasoned expertise, wrestling prowess, and exceptional stamina to take charge.
