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UFC Tampa takes place Saturday, so it's time to break down the top fights, plus make DFS picks and predictions for the key matchups on the card.
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Shines in first UFC main event
Buckley defeated Colby Covington via TKO (doctor stoppage) at 4:42 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Tampa, Florida.
ANALYSIS
Buckley's first UFC main event, a fight which appeared like a stiff test for him on paper, ended up being a rout. Facing a totally washed opponent in Covington, Buckley simply beat Colby up on the feet, in addition to fending off his token takedown attempts. One of them landed, but Joaquin did a nice job of not absorbing a ton of damage from the bottom and was eventually able to work his way back to his feet. The constant volume with which Buckley was landing caused an injury to Covington's eye and eventually resulted in the doctor stopping the fight late in Round 3. With six straight wins dating back to May 2023, including four via knockout, Buckley is doing his part to emphatically insert himself in the title picture at 170 pounds.
Buckley's first UFC main event, a fight which appeared like a stiff test for him on paper, ended up being a rout. Facing a totally washed opponent in Covington, Buckley simply beat Colby up on the feet, in addition to fending off his token takedown attempts. One of them landed, but Joaquin did a nice job of not absorbing a ton of damage from the bottom and was eventually able to work his way back to his feet. The constant volume with which Buckley was landing caused an injury to Covington's eye and eventually resulted in the doctor stopping the fight late in Round 3. With six straight wins dating back to May 2023, including four via knockout, Buckley is doing his part to emphatically insert himself in the title picture at 170 pounds.
Now fighting Covington
Buckley will now fight Colby Covington at UFC Tampa on Dec. 14, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Buckley's original opponent, Ian Garry, is now set to fight Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310, so Covington will fill the open spot in Tampa. Buckley currently holds a five-fight winning streak and will have a four-inch reach advantage over his new opponent, who has dropped three of his last five bouts.
Buckley's original opponent, Ian Garry, is now set to fight Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310, so Covington will fill the open spot in Tampa. Buckley currently holds a five-fight winning streak and will have a four-inch reach advantage over his new opponent, who has dropped three of his last five bouts.
UFC Tampa Main Event
Buckley will face off against Ian Garry at UFC Tampa on Dec. 14, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Buckley will headline UFC Tampa against the undefeated Ian Garry in December. The 30-year-old American is 10-4 during his time within the UFC facing off against an 8-0 title hopeful in Garry.
Buckley will headline UFC Tampa against the undefeated Ian Garry in December. The 30-year-old American is 10-4 during his time within the UFC facing off against an 8-0 title hopeful in Garry.
Winning streak hits five
Buckley defeated Stephen Thompson via KO (punches) at 2:17 of Round 3 at UFC 307 on Saturday in Salt Lake City.
ANALYSIS
If there was ever a fight up for grabs with a few minutes left, it was this one. Buckley wisely decided to take the judges out of the equation. Joaquin struggled for a good portion of the bout. He was constantly attempting to chase Thompson down on the feet, which is a recipe for disaster against a striker as slick as Wonderboy. He did land four takedowns on seven attempts, but struggled to do damage on the ground. The finish came when one sweeping right hand landed flush and put Thompson away in an instant, and the end result was both a victory and a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. Buckley was left for dead following back-to-back defeats to Nassourdine Imavov and Chris Curtis in late-2022, but has since rebounded with five straight wins, including three via knockout. He called out Kamaru Usman in his post-fight interview. Sounds like a good idea.
If there was ever a fight up for grabs with a few minutes left, it was this one. Buckley wisely decided to take the judges out of the equation. Joaquin struggled for a good portion of the bout. He was constantly attempting to chase Thompson down on the feet, which is a recipe for disaster against a striker as slick as Wonderboy. He did land four takedowns on seven attempts, but struggled to do damage on the ground. The finish came when one sweeping right hand landed flush and put Thompson away in an instant, and the end result was both a victory and a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. Buckley was left for dead following back-to-back defeats to Nassourdine Imavov and Chris Curtis in late-2022, but has since rebounded with five straight wins, including three via knockout. He called out Kamaru Usman in his post-fight interview. Sounds like a good idea.
Set to fight Thompson
Buckley will face Stephen Thompson in a welterweight showdown at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City on Oct. 5, Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Buckley will look to make it five straight victories with a win over Thompson. He most recently disposed of Nursulton Ruziboev via unanimous decision back in May. His opponent Thompson, meanwhile, will look to bounce back after falling to Shavkat Rakhmonov via Rear Naked Choke in the second round of a fight back in September.
Buckley will look to make it five straight victories with a win over Thompson. He most recently disposed of Nursulton Ruziboev via unanimous decision back in May. His opponent Thompson, meanwhile, will look to bounce back after falling to Shavkat Rakhmonov via Rear Naked Choke in the second round of a fight back in September.