Tag: Joaquin Buckley

Top MMA Coach Picks Joaquin Buckley As ‘Fighter Of The Year’ Over Alex Pereira & Ilia Topuria

Coach Eric Nicksick, for one, has been extremely impressed by UFC welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley’s efforts in 2024. Buckley closed out his year in style on Saturday night when he headlined the final event of 2024. Opposite him inside Tampa’s Amalie Arena was former interim champion Colby Covington, who planned on placing his name back […]

Coach Eric Nicksick, for one, has been extremely impressed by UFC welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley’s efforts in 2024.

Buckley closed out his year in style on Saturday night when he headlined the final event of 2024. Opposite him inside Tampa’s Amalie Arena was former interim champion Colby Covington, who planned on placing his name back into title contention a year on from a third failed bid for undisputed status.

“Chaos” didn’t succeed in that ambition, however, with Buckley dominating him in the opening two rounds before a deep cut sustained just above Covington’s right eye proved too bad for him to continue.

With the result, “New Mansa” has gone 4-0 this year, having previously knocked out Vicente Luque, outpointed Nursulton Ruziboev, and stopped Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson.

And according to Nicksick, that’s elevated him not only into the “Fighter of the Year” discussion, but above both consensus leading candidates Alex Pereira and Ilia Topuria.

“Real talk, @Newmansa94 (Buckley) resurrection needs to be studied,” Nicksick wrote on X. “6-0 in a new division w/ 4 stoppages, 4-0 in 2024. Ladies and Gentlemen, he’s your 2024 Fighter of the Year. I’m out”

Pereira, the reigning light heavyweight kingpin, has staked his claim with three title defenses in 2024. After knockouts of Jamahal Hill and Ji?í Procházka, “Poatan” most recently came from behind to batter Khalil Rountree in round four of their headline battle this past October.

Topuria, meanwhile, seemingly has the edge over the Brazilian in terms of competition level. Though he’s fought once less than Pereira, the Spaniard dethroned the highly regarded Alexander Volkanovski in brutal fashion before becoming the first man to knock out Max Holloway to retain the featherweight gold.

But taking into account his career revival since dropping to 170 pounds, Buckley appears to have the vote of one renowned trainer in the fight game.

Joaquin Buckley Brutalizes Colby Covington En Route to Doctor’s Stoppage TKO – UFC Tampa Highlights

Joaquin Buckley vs. Colby Covington - UFC Tampa HighlightsJoaquin Buckley put an absolute beating on Colby Covington, forcing the cageside physician to step in and bring a…

Joaquin Buckley vs. Colby Covington - UFC Tampa Highlights

Joaquin Buckley put an absolute beating on Colby Covington, forcing the cageside physician to step in and bring a stop to the bout late in the third round.

In the opening round of their UFC Tampa headliner, ‘New Mansa’ managed to stuff every one of Covington’s feeble takedown attempts and caught the three-time title challengers with a nasty shot that opened up a cut just over Covington’s left eye.

gettyimages 2190012682 612x612 1

Despite the injury, Covington delivered a decent second round where he managed to muscle Buckley down to the mat, but was unable to capitalize on the favorable position. Following the end of the second stanza, the cageside physician made it clear that she wouldn’t let the fight go much longer with Covington’s eye already in a compromised state.

The third round saw Buckley continue his dominance on the feel while Covington desperately tried to work ‘New Mansa’ back to the mat. Before long, Covington logged another successful takedown, but Buckley was again able to wall-walk his way back up.

gettyimages 2190013001 612x612 1

Once the two fighters were upright, referee Dan Miragliotta called for a pause to have the doctor check Covington’s eye once again. It only took seconds for her to determine that Covington should not continue fighting, forcing Miragliotta to bring a stop to the bout with only seconds left in the third.

gettyimages 2190013403 612x612 1
gettyimages 2190013717 612x612 1

Official Result: Joaquin Buckley def. Colby Covington via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) at 4:42 of Round 3

Check Out Highlights From Joaquin Buckley vs. Colby Covington at UFC Tampa:

‘Perfect End To His Silly Career’ – Fans React As Colby Covington Gets Battered By Joaquin Buckley At UFC Tampa

Joaquin Buckley added to the woes of Colby Covington on Saturday night, battering the former interim welterweight champion in the main event of UFC Tampa. Buckley clearly took the opening round, stopping every takedown attempt from Covington and damaging his eye, including a knockdown of “Chaos” late in the round. The rising contender continued to […]

Joaquin Buckley added to the woes of Colby Covington on Saturday night, battering the former interim welterweight champion in the main event of UFC Tampa.

Buckley clearly took the opening round, stopping every takedown attempt from Covington and damaging his eye, including a knockdown of “Chaos” late in the round. The rising contender continued to land well in the second round, and while he was taken down once, “New Mansa” managed to work his way up with strength and still showed strong defense.

Covington, who was warned about the cut around his eye that had been busted up over two rounds, continued to be battered as the fight entered the third. Even when the fight was on the ground, Buckley’s attack showed no sign of slowing, targeting that cut.

In the midst of the third round, the doctor was called in to check on the cut and ruled that Covington could no longer safely continue.

This marked Buckley’s sixth straight win and perhaps his biggest since a viral knockout of Impa Kasaganay. This most likely will give him a top-five contender as his next opponent.

Covington, meanwhile, has now lost three of his last four. This was his first fight in almost exactly one year since his unsuccessful challenge of then-UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards at UFC 296.

VIDEO: UFC Tampa Post-Fight Press Conference After Joaquin Buckley, Cub Swanson’s Headline Wins

The year-ending UFC Tampa event recently concluded, and MMA News has you covered with the post-fight press conference at Amalie Arena. The venue played host to Octagon action on Dec. 14, as the mixed martial arts leader closed out its schedule for 2024 with a strong lineup that featured a former interim champion, ranked contenders, […]

The year-ending UFC Tampa event recently concluded, and MMA News has you covered with the post-fight press conference at Amalie Arena.

The venue played host to Octagon action on Dec. 14, as the mixed martial arts leader closed out its schedule for 2024 with a strong lineup that featured a former interim champion, ranked contenders, experienced veterans, and some promising prospects.

Of note were victories for Joaquin Buckley, Cub Swanson, Manel Kape, Dustin Jacoby, Daniel Marcos, Michael Johnson and Sean Woodson.

And before attention turns to next year’s offerings from the mixed martial arts leader, there remains some business to attend to backstage at UFC Tampa.

Shortly after the main event’s ending, Dana White is expected to appear in front of the media to reveal the recipients of the Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses before answering questions. The victorious fighters from UFC Tampa will also take queries from the press in reaction to their performances.

With that said, see below for a live stream of the UFC Tampa post-fight press conference via the UFC’s official YouTube channel, commencing at 1 AM ET.

UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Joaquin Buckley TKOs Colby Covington

UFC Fight Night took place tonight from the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights!  In the main event, welterweights Colby Covington and Joaquin Buckley clashed. While in the co-main event, Cub Swanson faced Billy Quarantillo in a bantamweight matchup.  UFC Fight Night Results: Main Card Preliminary Card Preliminary […]

UFC Fight Night took place tonight from the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights! 

In the main event, welterweights Colby Covington and Joaquin Buckley clashed. While in the co-main event, Cub Swanson faced Billy Quarantillo in a bantamweight matchup. 

UFC Fight Night Results: Main Card

  • Joaquin Buckley def. Colby Covington via TKO (doctor’s stoppage): R3, 4.42
  • Cub Swanson def. Billy Quarantillo via KO: R3 1.36 
  • Manel Kape def. Bruno Silva via TKO: R3, 1.57  
  • Dustin Jacoby def. Vitor Petrino via KO: R3, 3.44  
  • Daniel Marcos def. Adrian Yañez via split decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29) 
  • Navajo Stirling def. Tuco Tokkos via unanimous decision (30-27×3)

Preliminary Card

  • Michael Johnson def. Ottman Azaitar via KO: R2, 2.03 
  • Joel Álvarez def. Drakkar Klose via KO: R1, 2.48  
  • Sean Woodson def. Fernando Padilla via TKO: R1, 4.58
  • Felipe Lima def. Miles Johns via unanimous decision (30-27×3)
  • Miranda Maverick def. Jamey-Lyn Horth via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
  • Davey Grant def. Ramon Taveras via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27×2)
  • Piera Rodriguez def. Josefine Knutsson via unanimous decision (30-27×3)

Preliminary Card Highlights

Sean Woodson def. Fernando Padilla

Sean Woodson earned the first finish of the night, getting a TKO of Fernando Padilla in the first round of their featherweight bout.

Joel Álvarez def. Drakkar Klose

Joel Álvarez earned a first-round KO of Drakkar Klose in their lightweight bout.

Michael Johnson def. Ottman Azaitar

In this lightweight bout, Michael Johnson earned a KO of Ottman Azaitar in the second round.

Main Card Highlights

Navajo Stirling def. Tuco Tokkos

Navajo Stirling got it done on the scorecards against Tuco Tokkos.

Daniel Marcos def. Adrian Yañez

Daniel Marcos earned a split decision against Adrian Yañez in their bantamweight matchup.

Dustin Jacoby def. Vitor Petrino

Dustin Jacoby got the win with a KO of Vitor Petrino in the third round.

Manel Kape def. Bruno Silva

In this flyweight bout, Manel Kape earned a TKO of Bruno Silva in the third round.

Cub Swanson def. Billy Quarantillo

In the co-main event, Cub Swanson KO’d Billy Quarantillo in the third round.

Joaquin Buckley def. Colby Covington

In the main event, Joaquin Buckley was awarded a doctor’s stoppage TKO of Colby Covington after the latter could not continue due to a cut above his eye.

Joaquin Buckley Threatens to Give Colby Covington an ‘Ass-Whooping’ That Will Have Him Calling the Cops

Joaquin Buckley Threatens to Give Colby Covington an ‘Ass-Whooping’ That Will Have Him Calling the CopsJoaquin Buckley is gonna have Colby Covington calling the cops … Again. This Saturday night, ‘New Mansa’ returns to…

Joaquin Buckley Threatens to Give Colby Covington an ‘Ass-Whooping’ That Will Have Him Calling the Cops

Joaquin Buckley is gonna have Colby Covington calling the cops … Again.

This Saturday night, ‘New Mansa’ returns to the Octagon for a high-stakes scrap with the three-time UFC title challenger in Tampa, Florida. It’ll be Covington’s first time competing since coming up short against then-welterweight champion Leon Edwards at UFC 296 around this same time last year.

Meanwhile, Buckley is coming off a big third-round knockout of Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson just a couple of months ago.

468149980 1129668701857569 170180601128909833 n 1 2

Over the years, Covington has made a career for himself inside the Octagon while leaning on his world-class wrestling and delivering a pressure-filled pace that slowly wears on his opponents.

But if he tries to take that same approach in Tampa, ‘New Mansa’ promises to put a beating on him so bad that he’ll have ‘Chaos’ calling the authorities.

EbImFTrWsAIuMNs

“Colby’s a pressure fighter, a wrestler, and he’s got a good pace,” Buckley told The MMA Guru. “But to be honest, the Colby we’ve seen in the last few years… he’s like a shell of his former self. He’s not the same guy who fought RDA or Masvidal.

“With that being said, I feel like I’m going to put on the kind of performance that’ll make it look like Colby’s going to try to press charges on me after the ass-whooping I give him.”

Joaquin Buckley looks to extend his unbeaten streak against Covington

Buckley goes into the UFC’s final event of 2024 riding a five-fight win streak and a 10-4 record inside the Octagon with 70% of his wins coming by way of KO/TKO.

Meanwhile, Covington has gone 2-3 in his last five with all three of his losses coming in title fights. Despite sitting as the No. 6 ranked contender in the welterweight division, Covington does not hold a win over any fighter currently ranked in the top 15.

gettyimages 2189831216 612x612 1