Joaquin Buckley dominated Colby Covington in a bloody affair at UFC Tampa. (Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Joaquin Buckley may have hammered the final 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 via doctor's stoppage and extend his six-fight win streak Saturday night in the main event of UFC Tampa. With Covington's face drenched in crimson and a giant cut hanging open over his right eye, the ringside physician finally mercifully stopped the contest at the 4:42 mark of the third round.
"I know that ain't the fight that y'all really wanted. I know we spilled a little blood, but I know you wanted to see a knockout, man," a grinning Buckley said afterward. "So my bad, y'all."
Matched against the most high-profile opponent of his career, Buckley (21-6) put on a clinic. He landed big bombs on Covington (17-5) from the opening bell and easily defended the three-time title challenger's takedown attempts. Buckley, 30, nearly finished the job early, knocking down Covington with a wicked right hand in the closing seconds of Round 1, then continued to find a home for that right hand anytime he looked for it in the second and third frames.
Covington, 36, finally secured a takedown in Round 2 but was unable to do much with it. His face was a bloody mess by start of the third, prompting the doctor to warn him that she wouldn't let the damage to his right eye get much worse. That only spurred Buckley on to unload further punishment, and after the two battled for a bit on the ground, that warning proved prophetic as Buckley was declared the winner.
The doctors stop the fight 👀
Joaquin Buckley looked dominant in his win over Colby Covington. #UFCTampa
Now a perfect 6-0 with four highlight-reel knockouts since moving back down to the welterweight division, Buckley threw out three names to gauge crowd opinion on his next opponent — former UFC welterweight champions Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman, as well as current champion Belal Muhammad. In the end, he settled on one of the former champs.
A former interim UFC champion, Covington has now lost four of his past six bouts.
In the night’s co-main event, featherweight stalwart Cub Swanson (30-14) turned in another gem at age 41. Already a UFC Hall of Famer for his classic 2016 war of attrition with Doo Ho Choi, Swanson just couldn’t help himself against Billy Quarantillo (18-7). The WEC veteran once again got drawn into a back-and-forth dogfight only to emerge with one of the most vicious highlights of the night, scoring a picture-perfect knockout at the 1:36 mark of the third round.
Afterward, Swanson appeared to be on the verge of retiring but ultimately didn’t quite get there.
“I kind of told me wife that this might be the last one, so we’ll see,” Swanson said. “I’m kind of old, guys. I want to see I appreciate you letting a 41-year-old dad come out here and entertain you.”
Covington's right eye is a disaster now. He's warned that the ringside doctor isn't going to let it get much worse. Buckley shucks off a lazy takedown attempt then unloads a high-low flurry. Buckley is swinging for the fences here. Man, Covington is eating some shots here. Terrible takedown attempt by Covington and it fails completely — Buckley jumps on top of him and swarms. They retake their feet and Buckley is teeing off now. Covington's face is a crimson mask. Jab, left hook for Buckley. He's feeling himself now.
Buckley easily spawls a Covington takedown attempt then smothers Covington from top position. Covington continues to hold onto a leg in the scramble but Buckley is just too powerful. He's schooling Covington on the mat right now. Oh wow, Buckley hunts for a triangle from Covington's back. He can't get it but that was sick. Covington ends up in top position with two minutes to work, but both he and Buckley are covered in his own blood. This might be stopped between rounds if neither man finds a finish. Covington continues to work short punches from top control. Buckley moves to the fence and uses it to stand. He can't stop smiling. The doctor comes to check on Covington — and this one is over!
The doctor stops it. His right eye is completely destroyed.
Shaheen Al-Shatti
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 way into a far-away takedown but he's can't get it. Buckley digs a monster right hook into the body. Slick combination for Buckley as he goes high-low. Covington tries to force the issue with a double-leg against the fence — and he finally gets one. Covington turns the corner and moves into side control. Let's see what he can do with this.
Buckley reclaims his half guard. Covington working top position with short punches and elbows. Buckley times it perfectly his explodes to his feet. Covington is leaking badly from near his right eye. Buckley goes back to his bag with high and low kicks to the head, body and legs. Stiff right hand from Buckley. Slick counter right from Buckley as Covington sloppily rushes inside. Buckley is finding a home with his right hand anytime he wants it. Buckley taunts him as the round comes to an end.
Buckley 10-9. (Buckley 20-18.)
Shaheen Al-Shatti
Colby Covington vs. Joaquin Buckley - Round 1
Here we go, y'all. Main event time. Derek Cleary, Eric Colon and Chris Lee are your three cageside judges. Veteran referee Dan Miragliotta is the third man in the cage. No glove touch here. Let's do this. Buckley comes out hot, taking the center of the cage and pressing the action. Covington circles and tosses out a low kick. Buckley is throwing heat but can't find his range yet. One-two from Buckley misses. Covington changes levels for a takedown but gets immediately stuffed. That felt big.
Buckley is starting to land now. Covington is already looking marked up and bleeding from his head. Big left hand for Buckley. "COLBY SUCKS!" chant from this Florida crowd. Covington looks slow out here. Buckley wades inside with a combination — that was nice. Covington bull-rushes into the fence and tries to work for a single-leg takedown, but Buckley is having none of it. Total denial. Three-punch combination for Buckley. Covington is bleeding profusely from his face. Big right hand drops Covington!!!
Rooooough round for the three-time title challenger.
Buckley 10-9.
Uncrowned Staff
Colby Covington is walking out with Hulk Hogan
American flags everywhere. Yes, this is happening.
Uncrowned Staff
Swanson maaaaaybe retires?
But also, maybe not? He says he promised his wife tonight would be the last one, but also doesn't quite commit to that. So, hey — we'll see?
Uncrowned Staff
Swanson reaction
Beautiful, clean lead left hook followed by a right cross from the ageless Cub Swanson. Gosh.
Cub Swanson def. Billy Quarantillo KO (punches) at 1:36 of Round 3
Uncrowned Staff
What is it in the water down there it in Tampa???
For real, Cub Swanson just did terrible, terrible things to Billy Quarantillo. That was vicious. A one-two from Swanson, ending with a right hand, sending "Billy Q" crashing backward onto the mat. Quarantillo's head smashes violently onto the canvas. Man.
Uncrowned Staff
Kape reactions
Well, Pantoja may have found his next foe after all. That was the performance Kape needed. (Weird finish and all.)
145 pounds: Cub Swanson (+130) vs. Billy Quarantillo (-160)
Cub Swanson still has violence to deliver.
The WEC OG notches fight No. 44 of his thrilling career when he collides with Billy Quarantillo. Swanson, 41, is clearly in the twilight of his MMA run, having returned to featherweight two fights ago after a stint at bantamweight. Despite his age, Swanson has seemingly caught a second wind, picking up a strong recent win over Hakeem Dawodu before losing a controversial split decision to fellow veteran Andre Fili.
Swanson is a solid and powerful boxer who mixes in his kicks brutally when comfortable. Quarantillo will be happy to engage in a potential war, but may also attempt to take the action to the mat if needed.
Quarantillo, 36, isn't in a spring chicken either, but he carries less wear and tear and can put anyone's lights out, both with punches and powerful knees. Unfortunately for the legendary featherweight, Quarantillo's versatile offense will be too much for Swanson to handle en route to a late TKO loss.
Pick: Quarantillo
Uncrowned Staff
Manel Kape def. Bruno Silva via TKO (punches) at 1:57 of Round 3
Manel Kape might've just earned himself a title shot. WHEW BOY, THAT WAS IMPRESSIVE. He just demolished Bruno Silva with absolute ferocity in the third round.
Kape follows that up by planting himself next to UFC CEO Dana White and pleading his case for the next shot at UFC champ Alexandre Pantoja.
Uncrowned Staff
Manel Kape vs. Bruno Gustavo da Silva - Prediction
125 pounds: Manel Kape (-375) vs. Bruno Gustavo da Silva (+290)
Manel Kape's UFC career has been such a bizarre ride.
I had extremely high hopes for the former RIZIN bantamweight champion when he signed in 2021 off a win over Kai Asakura. After a hesitant UFC debut against the now-flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja, "Starboy" never quite returned to that same confidence level we saw from him in Japan.
Nonetheless, Kape is still one of the best flyweights in the world and matchmaking him against Bruno Gustavo da Silva is admittedly odd considering their rankings. However, Silva has won four in a row by finish — three knockouts, one submission — since losing three straight to start his UFC run.
Kape, 31, is simply the more seasoned and talented competitor overall. A sharp and patient striker when necessary, Kape has explosive punches and takedowns that will give Silva problems.
Silva, 34, will have to land first, but Kape won't give him the chance. A rebound win looms for the former RIZIN champion after his controversial decision loss to Muhammad Mokaev this past July.
Dustin Jacoby def. Vitor Petrino via KO (punch) at 3:44 of Round 3
Oh my lord what a right hand by Jacoby. That spun Petrino's body all the way around. RIDICULOUS WORK.
Drake Riggs
Vitor Petrino vs. Dustin Jacoby - Prediction
205 pounds: Vitor Petrino (-300) vs. Dustin Jacoby (+240)
Dustin Jacoby is fighting for his career this weekend.
Once a feel-good story of resurgence, the 36-year-old Jacoby appears to be reaching his limit after losing four of his past five UFC fights. The last time we saw the former GLORY Kickboxing standout, he was melted in two minutes by Dominick Reyes this past June.
Vitor Petrino also targets a rebound with this matchup. After Anthony Smith dealt the Brazilian prospect loss No. 1 of his 12-fight career at UFC 301 in May, he's been given a favorable matchup at UFC Tampa.
Petrino, 27, is more than content to throw hands with opponents, scoring knockouts in seven of his 11 wins. Jacoby, 36, is the superior and more technical striker with his strong kickboxing background; the problem here is his chin and fading defense.
Pick: Petrino
Uncrowned Staff
Daniel Marcos def. Adrian Yanez via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
Drake Riggs
Adrian Yanez vs. Daniel Marcos - Prediction
135 pounds: Adrian Yanez (+175) vs. Daniel Marcos (-210)
Bantamweight bangers rarely let us down. Adrian Yanez vs. Daniel Marcos is your frontrunner for the Fight of the Night.
Marcos is a talented prospect out of Peru who's looking to make a big impression by taking out the ever-talented Yanez and going 17-0. He was a champion in a regional fight promotion in his home country and successfully defended his title a whopping six times before his arrival through UFC's Contender Series.
In other words, the dude has been unstoppable.
Ask his UFC debut opponent Saimon Oliveira, who crumbled at the heavy hands and knees of Marcos in Round 2. A punishing striker throughout his career, when Marcos smells blood, combos and flurries are in your immediate future.
Yanez, 31, has long been touted as one of the best up-and-coming boxers in UFC. He reminded the world of his capabilities his last time out, scoring a vintage knockout of Vinicius Salvador in Round 1.
Momentum is a fighter's best friend and both these guys have it. Marcos may have more tools in his toolbox, but Yanez is just clean with his punched and you're in trouble when he connects. It's a coin flip for me. I'm sticking with the veteran. Yanez has fought the better competition and plays spoiler.
The final UFC card of the year is officially underway!
We have a seven-fight lineup to kick off the UFC Tampa preliminary card. All the action can be watched on ESPN2/ESPN+. Keep it locked to Uncrowned all night for live results and highlights, as well as a live blog of the Colby Covington vs. Joaquin Buckley welterweight main event.
