Tonight’s UFC Tampa event was headlined by a significant welterweight contest featuring Joaquin Buckley going head-to-head with Colby Covington.
Buckley (24-3 MMA) entered this contest with an impressive five-fight winning streak, his latest victory being a knockout of former title challenger Stephen Thompson this past October in Salt Lake City. Known as ‘New Mansa,’ he had achieved an outstanding record of 9-1 in his last ten Octagon appearances leading up to this event.
On the other hand, Colby Covington (17-5 MMA) made his return to the Octagon for the first time since his unanimous decision loss to Leon Edwards in a welterweight title bout at UFC 296 last December. Prior to that fight, Covington had secured a unanimous decision victory over Jorge Masvidal at UFC 272.
The main event showcased a gripping back-and-forth battle. Joaquin Buckley consistently got the better of the exchanges on the feet, while Covington found opportunities on the ground. However, disaster struck for Colby as he suffered a severe cut over his eye. Following considerable bleeding, the referee called in the doctor during the third round to evaluate the situation. The doctor determined that Colby’s eyelid was compromised, leading to a fight stoppage.
The official result of UFC Tampa was Joaquin Buckley defeating Colby Covington via TKO (doctor stoppage) in Round 3.
Following the fight, social media buzzed with reactions from the pros regarding the matchup between Covington and Buckley.
Terrance McKinney humorously asked if Covington was walking out with WWE legends Hogan and Sonnen, adding a fun perspective to the fight night atmosphere.
BJ Penn’s account tweeted about the significance of the fight, tagging it with #JustScrap to convey the high stakes of the matchup.
Belal Muhammad provided his commentary with a biting remark about the potential outcome of the fight.
Corey Anderson reacted to Covington’s walkout, indicating a mix of admiration and hope for Buckley’s victory.
Henry Cejudo provided insight into the scoring, suggesting Buckley was leading the fight and looking to extend his winning streak in the welterweight division.
Terrance McKinney once again engaged with the humor of the situation, wondering about Covington’s antics that night.
C H O V E R A weighed in on the injuries, noting the severity of the cut early in the fight.
Henry Cejudo also commented on the ongoing competitiveness, reminding fans not to count Covington out just yet.
Belal Muhammad took a jab at Covington, pointing out a silence from Sonnen, insinuating Covington’s struggles in the fight.
Gilbert Burns predicted a doctor stoppage was imminent, foreshadowing the chaotic conclusion of the match.
Post-fight reactions favored Joaquin Buckley, emphasizing his dominance in the three rounds and solidifying his status as a top contender in the division.
Belal Muhammad made light of Covington’s potential excuses post-fight, suggesting that the loss was simply indicative of his performance rather than external factors.
Jamahal Hill showed support for Buckley, sharing a celebratory message following the impressive victory.
Henry Cejudo recognized Buckley’s achievement by highlighting his standing as the fighter with the most knockouts in the UFC since 2020.
Belal Muhammad humorously speculated what might happen if Buckley were to fight Kamaru Usman next, teasing an exciting potential matchup.
Now, the question remains: Who would fans like to see Joaquin Buckley face next after his significant TKO victory over Colby Covington in Florida?
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