Colby Covington will shock the world and defeat Joaquin Buckley at UFC Tampa

UFC on ESPN 63, also known as UFC Tampa, will headline the final event of 2024 at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, on December 14. This highly anticipated match between Colby Covington and Joaquin Buckley promises to be an electrifying contest. UFC fans are eagerly waiting for this action-packed event, marking the return of the UFC to Tampa after five years!

Colby Covington: The Underdog with a Strong Game Plan

Colby Covington, currently ranked 6th in the UFC welterweight division, steps in to replace Ian Machado Garry after Garry’s pull for a title eliminator. With a solid 17-4 record, Covington is known for his relentless wrestling, exceptional grappling skills, and an impressive ability to dominate opponents over five-round fights. Despite a few setbacks in his career, including three failed title shots, Covington remains one of the top contenders in the welterweight division. With a relentless drive and ability to grind down opponents, he’s more than ready to upset the odds against Joaquin Buckley.

Joaquin Buckley: A Knockout King on a Hot Streak

Joaquin Buckley (20-6) enters this bout as a fierce knockout artist, boasting 14 wins via knockout/technical knockout. His famous KO victory over Impa Kasanganay has solidified him as one of the most explosive fighters in the UFC. With five consecutive victories against top-tier strikers like Andre Fialho, Alex Morono, Vicente Luque, Nursulton Ruziboev, and Stephen Thompson, Buckley is a force to be reckoned with. His striking is deadly, and he’s coming into this fight with confidence. However, he’ll face a completely different challenge in Covington, who is renowned for his ability to neutralize knockout artists with superior grappling.

Betting Odds and Analysis: Who Will Come Out on Top?

The betting odds for this fight indicate a slight favorite for Buckley, with odds at -260 compared to Covington’s +215. This reflects Buckley’s knockout power and his momentum coming into the fight. However, the odds aren’t as lopsided as some might expect, signaling that Covington’s experience and well-rounded fighting style could give him a significant edge in this high-stakes matchup.

Covington’s Path to Victory: Dominating the Grappling Game

Colby Covington is known for his ability to dominate fights with his world-class wrestling and cardio. While Joaquin Buckley is a dangerous knockout threat, he’s never faced a grappler of Covington’s caliber. Covington’s experience in five-round bouts gives him an advantage, especially since Buckley has never gone beyond 15 minutes in the Octagon. Covington’s strategy will likely revolve around wearing down Buckley, taking him to the ground, and neutralizing his striking. His endurance, along with his ability to control the pace, will be key in securing a win.

Buckley’s Challenge: Defending the Takedown and Sticking to His Striking

For Joaquin Buckley, this fight represents a major challenge in adapting to Colby Covington’s wrestling. While Buckley’s knockout power is undeniable, his 69% takedown defense will be tested by Covington’s relentless pressure. Buckley has never faced a grappler as dominant as Covington, and if he can’t fend off the takedowns or keep the fight standing, he may struggle to execute his trademark explosive strikes. Buckley must improve his defensive strategy and find a way to counter Covington’s approach if he wants to extend his winning streak.

Final Prediction: Covington’s Experience Triumphs Over Buckley’s Power

In this exciting UFC Tampa main event, Colby Covington is predicted to defeat Joaquin Buckley. Covington’s well-rounded skill set, including his superior grappling, five-round experience, and relentless pace, will prove too much for Buckley to handle. While Buckley’s knockout power could change the fight in an instant, Covington’s ability to wear him down and control the action inside the cage will likely lead to a dominant decision victory. Don’t miss out on this epic matchup—Colby Covington’s path to victory is clear, but Buckley’s explosive strikes could still make it a thrilling fight!