Joaquin Buckley Dominates Colby Covington at UFC Tampa, Fight Stopped Due to Gruesome Cut

Joaquin Buckley delivered a striking clinic against Colby Covington at UFC Tampa, showcasing his dominance in the welterweight division. Though the fight ended due to a medical stoppage, Buckley left no doubt about his rising status in the division.

From the outset, Buckley’s precision and power were on full display. He kept Covington on the defensive with sharp combinations, landing a devastating uppercut in the first round that opened a severe cut over Covington’s eye. The gash worsened as Buckley’s relentless assault continued, with blood streaming down Covington’s face as he struggled to mount any significant offense.

By the third round, referee Dan Miragliotta paused the action to allow the ringside doctor to assess the injury. The verdict was clear: “He’s going to lose his eyelid,” the doctor warned, prompting Miragliotta to stop the fight at 4:42 of the round. While Buckley had hoped for a knockout finish, his performance left no room for debate.

“I know you’ll wanted to see a knockout. My bad,” Buckley told the crowd, apologizing for the anticlimactic finish.

Despite the stoppage, Buckley’s performance underscored his elite status in the welterweight division. Riding a six-fight win streak since moving to 170 pounds, Buckley used his post-fight interview to engage the crowd in choosing his next opponent.

“Who do I want? My fans are going to pick my opponent,” Buckley declared. He offered three potential names: Leon Edwards, Kamaru Usman, and Belal Muhammad, before rallying support for a fight against Usman. “I think it’s Kamaru Usman. Let’s go.”

Covington, a former interim welterweight champion, had no answer for Buckley’s power and accuracy. He managed a brief takedown in the second round, but Buckley quickly escaped and resumed his striking dominance. Covington’s eye injury, exacerbated by Buckley’s sharp jabs and body hooks, ultimately forced the doctor to intervene.

This loss adds to Covington’s struggles, dropping him to 2-4 in his last six fights. At 36, his path back to title contention looks increasingly unlikely. Buckley, however, is now firmly in the title conversation, proving he belongs among the best at 170 pounds.