Relentless Pressure from Buckley

Joaquin Buckley delivered a brutal performance against Colby Covington at UFC Tampa. The fight began with no handshakes, setting the tone for the intense battle. In the first round, Buckley displayed explosive movement and superior striking. Within two minutes, he opened a nasty cut above Covington’s right eye, forcing Covington to wipe away blood repeatedly. Despite his efforts to regain control in the latter half of the round, Covington couldn’t match Buckley’s power and aggression. The round ended clearly in Buckley’s favor.

Doctor Intervenes in a Grueling Battle

The second round maintained a high pace as Buckley continued to dominate. Covington managed his first takedown two minutes in but struggled to maintain control. Buckley regained his feet and resumed his striking assault. The third round saw Buckley recapture his early momentum, delivering sharp boxing combinations. Covington, heavily bleeding by this stage, was clearly struggling. With just 20 seconds left in the third round, the referee halted the bout on the doctor’s advice due to Covington’s eye injury.

Buckley Calls Out Kamaru Usman

Buckley’s commanding performance showcased his skill, particularly his exceptional boxing. Post-fight, he expressed disappointment at not securing a knockout but praised the Tampa crowd for their energy. He left the fans with a decision: picking his next opponent. Among his suggested names were Leon Edwards, Kamaru Usman, and Belal Muhammad. Judging by the crowd’s reaction, the fans strongly favored a clash with Usman.