Earlier tonight (Sat., Dec. 14, 2024), Colby Covington vs. Joaquin Buckley faced off in the main event of UFC Tampa, which took place inside Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. In a brutal beatdown, Buckley smashed Covington’s face to pieces and forced a doctor stoppage.
Very little of the fight went well for “Chaos.” The veteran couldn’t get his wrestling going and was forced to stand with Buckley. From the jump, Buckley used his speed advantage to do serious damage. He split Covington’s eye open with an uppercut, pounded at his body with hooks, and even attacked the leg with side kicks and calf strikes.
On a couple occasions, Covington managed to force his way into top position. Even then, he wasn’t able to build towards a dominant position or do any damage. Instead, Buckley was able to work up in fairly short fashion and go back to pulverizing the former title challenger.
At least as interesting as the fight itself was the unexpected appearance of WWE legend Hulk Hogan, BROTHER! Rumors swelled around Covington’s walkout and how it was an event not-to-be-missed. Hogan turned out to be the surprise, helping “Chaos” make his way to the cage. One wonders if they met on Trump Force One? Covington’s walkout was complete with a shirt rip moment and Hogan’s “Real American” walkout song. Oh, and Chael Sonnen was there too!
Either way, it was quite a scene in “The Big Guava” and the fighting community online was split on whether it was amusing or stupid. Check out some of the social media reaction below:
Colby walking out with Hulk Hogan & the undefeated undisputed Chael Sonnen #UFCTampa pic.twitter.com/TQzYqcZkV1
— Helen Yee (@HelenYeeSports) December 15, 2024
Hulk Hogan and Chael Sonnen is a corner that I did not have on my bingo card.
Had you told me it would happen, I would like to think I’d have guessed the correct fighter to make it happen.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) December 15, 2024
Hogan and Chael you can’t lose, walkout of the year #UFCTampa
— RX (@RX_MMA_06) December 15, 2024
Colby had his shirt cut already before he ripped it #UFCTampa pic.twitter.com/mNHxscdh1m
— Diana Belbi?? (@DianaBelbita) December 15, 2024
Imagine being Buckley, looking over at your opponent and thinking
“Is that Hulk Hogan?” #UFCTampa pic.twitter.com/CZjJ7FQ8ah
— Louis (@hashtag_whiskey) December 15, 2024
A TRIO YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED
An epic walk out for @ColbyCovMMA!#UFCTampa | @HulkHogan | @ChaelSonnen | @WWE pic.twitter.com/Ke2topWpC2
— UFC (@ufc) December 15, 2024
You can’t walk out with Hulk Hogan and lose right? #UFCTampa
— Courtside Commentary (@Courtsidecom) December 15, 2024
Walk out with @ChaelSonnen AND @HulkHogan holding an American Flag …. That’s a pretty AMERICAN walkout and pretty dope! But still hope Buckley wins. #ufc #walkout #UFCFightNight #UFCTampa
— Corey ‘Overtime’ Anderson (@CoreyA_MMA) December 15, 2024
Chaels quiet because he realized that Colby does actually suck
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) December 15, 2024
Colby can’t afford corner men so he brought in 80 year old Hulk Hogan and Chael..
— IzzysCouch0102 (@CarrotCake56829) December 15, 2024
Bruh thought coming out with Hulk Hogan would save him from the ass whipping
— BEAMER VALLEY?? (@_Ace5am) December 15, 2024
Colby Covington getting beat up by a black dude in front of known racist Hulk Hogan
— Phil (@Phxlly) December 15, 2024
For complete UFC Tampa results and play-by-play, click here.