Former interim welterweight champion Colby Covington is set to make his highly anticipated return to the Octagon on December 14, headlining UFC Tampa in a showdown against rising contender Joaquin Buckley.
UFC CEO Dana White confirmed the matchup following a reshuffle of events that saw Buckley’s original opponent, Ian Machado Garry, reassigned to face Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310.
This will mark Covington’s first fight of 2024 and his first appearance since a unanimous decision loss to Leon Edwards in December 2023. That defeat represented Covington’s third unsuccessful attempt at claiming the undisputed welterweight title. Despite the setback, he previously secured a dominant win over Jorge Masvidal to earn his shot at Edwards.
Covington, now 3-3 in his last six outings, will aim to rejuvenate his career against the surging Buckley.
Buckley’s Rapid Rise at Welterweight
Joaquin Buckley has been nothing short of impressive since transitioning to the welterweight division, where he boasts a perfect 5-0 record. His string of victories includes notable stoppages over Vicente Luque and former two-time title challenger Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson.
The outspoken contender has consistently campaigned for a high-profile opponent, and this main event clash with Covington provides the opportunity he’s been seeking to cement his place among the division’s elite.
Event Details
UFC Tampa will take place at the Amalie Arena on December 14. While the full fight card and bout order are yet to be finalized, the Covington vs. Buckley matchup promises to deliver fireworks and could have significant implications for the welterweight title picture.