Colby Covington and Joaquin Buckley, UFC Tampa ceremonial weigh-ins on the Amalie Area, Dec. 13, 2024 Credit score: Jay Anderson/Cageside Press
Former interim champion and two-time undisputed title challenger Colby Covington took on the streaking Joaquin Buckley on Saturday evening at UFC Tampa. This was a crossroads battle because the inactive Covington was seeking to keep related in opposition to a rising contender six years his junior.
Covington, who hadn’t regarded like his ordinary self in opposition to Leon Edwards in December of 2023, had averaged one battle per 12 months up to now this decade. He’s recognized for rigorously choosing and selecting his fights, favouring matchups with older fighters on their method out like Tyron Woodley and Jorge Masvidal. So naturally, it was a pleasing shock to see him settle for a figth in opposition to a related, youthful contender.
As for Buckley, after making a splash together with his highlight-reel KO of Impa Kasanganay again in 2020, he traded wins and losses at middleweight earlier than dropping to welterweight in 2023. He had since gone 5-0 and was seeking to observe up his knockout of Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson with a fourth win in 2024.
Covington might need cited accidents as the rationale for his lackluster efficiency in opposition to Edwards, however he regarded legitimately previous right here. The athleticism benefit that Buckley advantages from in nearly all his fights was particularly pronounced, as Covington had nothing for him. He had hassle coping with Buckley’s number of strikes and he wasn’t in a position to push his ordinary tempo.
It was good to see Covington sign-up this kind of matchup, however the battle additionally confirmed us that Covington’s age and inactivity has lastly began to catch as much as him. His time close to the highest of the division is over, however he nonetheless might need sufficient to win a number of fights right here and there. However who is aware of whether or not or not he’ll stand up for matchups that aren’t marquee important occasions or on huge PPV playing cards?
On the Buckley aspect of issues, “New Mansa” regarded as explosive as ever. He has stored enhancing each outing since making the transfer to 170 lbs. He at all times regarded like a comparatively small middleweight, so the burden reduce doesn’t seem like an issue, and he seems to be imposing subsequent to different 170ers.
This has by far been the most efficient calendar 12 months for him, going 4-0 with three ranked wins over Vicente Luque, Thompson and now Covington all by knockout. Whereas the title worth right here is sweet, it’s nonetheless unclear how a lot these wins will finally inform us about his long-term potential within the title image as he has but to face a prime contender his age. The enhancements are noticeable and inspiring, however how a lot do they imply when matched up in opposition to a fellow new era welterweight?
Solely time will inform, however in the intervening time, Buckley has proven that he’s clearly forward of the present Luques, Thompsons and Covingtons of the world. He has now clearly entered the title image, and will probably be intriguing to see how he fares in opposition to the highest canine of the division.
