UFC Tampa Outcomes: Awarded Bonuses, Clips, and Responses
UFC Tampa Outcomes: Awarded Bonuses, Clips, and Responses
In the main event of the final UFC show of the year, number 9 Joaquin Buckley utterly decimated number 6 Colby Covington for almost three rounds, leading to a doctor's stoppage. Buckley showcased an almost flawless performance in the fight.
Buckley left a gruesome gash on Covington's right eyelid during the first round, and things went downhill from there for the former interim champion.
Buckley successfully thwarted most of Covington's takedown attempts throughout the fight.
Covington managed to execute one in the second round and another in the third, but each time, Buckley swiftly bounced back to his feet without sustaining any harm.
As the wound on Covington's eyelid worsened, it became apparent that the Octagon doctor was going to call off the fight. Buckley's shorts and legs were soaked in Covington's blood, and the latter was trying to drag out the grappling sequences to spare his eye more damage.
In the end, it was of no avail.
At the 4:42 mark of the third round, the doctor put a stop to the fight. Despite the official declaration of a TKO doctor's stoppage, there was no doubt about who the superior fighter was in Tampa.
The triumphant Buckley largely stifled any advantage Covington had in grappling and landed 75 significant strikes versus the loser's 37. Following the fight, Buckley displayed an increasingly impressive post-fight interview game.
After facing criticism for his callouts in the past, this time, Buckley initiated a fan-reaction poll to determine the target of his callout. Buckley nominated Leon Edwards, Kamaru Usman, and Belal Muhammad.
The fans were the loudest for Usman, which is a positive as it is the most achievable option.
Unfortunately, Buckley may not receive that bid. There are rumors circulating that Usman might face Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 312 in Sydney in February.
Stay tuned.
Here is a rundown of the rest of the outcomes.
Cub Swanson defeats Billy Quarantillo by KO at 1:36 of Round 3
One of the greatest fighters in UFC history to never win a title delivered an exhilarating display. In a tilt, Swanson, 41, knocked Billy Quarantillo out cold.
Swanson opted against retiring, as some speculated, but he drew considerable reactions from his peers.
Manel Kape defeats Bruno Silva by TKO (punches) at 1:57 of Round 3.
Kape aimed for the subsequent shot at Alexandre Pantoja’s title with an impressive TKO finish of Bruno Silva.
Kape persevered through three low blows from Silva to secure the finish.
- Dustin Jacoby defeats Vitor Petrino by KO (straight right hand) at 3:44 of Round 3
- Daniel Marcos defeats Adrian Yanez by split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
- Navajo Stirling defeats Tuco Tokkos by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Michael Johnson defeats Ottman Azaitar by KO (right hook) at 2:03 of Round 2
Johnson concluded the prelims with a stunning KO. The 38-year-old veteran made it clear he's not retiring anytime soon, and he has now won two fights consecutively.
- Joel Álvarez defeats Drakkar Klose by KO (flying knee) at 2:48 of Round 1
Álvarez has the appearance of an upcoming title contender, even if it's not at lightweight. He demolished Drakkar Klose with a flying knee that had the latter collapse into a guillotine. However, Klose was already unconscious from the knee.
Alvarez hints at 170 pounds being his future destination. We'll see if Alvarez's upcoming fight is at 155 or 170/
- Sean Woodson defeats Fernando Padilla by TKO (strikes) at 4:58 of Round 1
Woodson pursued the first-round finish. He achieved it in an emphatic manner with a brutal combination that scored the KO win over Padilla.
- Felipe Lima defeats Miles Johns by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Miranda Maverick defeats Jamey-Lyn Horth by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Davey Grant defeats Ramon Taveras by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
- Piera Rodriguez defeats Josefine Knutsson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
UFC Tampa Bonus Winners
Jacoby's shocking KO earned him a bonus as did Johnson's explosive finish. The co-main event between Swanson vs. Quarantillo was the Fight of the Night.
Colby Covington was left with a gruesome gash on his right eyelid during his fight against Joaquin Buckley, which eventually led to a doctor's stoppage in the third round. Buckley's impressive performance in the fight included successfully thwarting most of Covington's takedown attempts and landing more significant strikes. In the UFC Tampa results, Buckley was also awarded a Performance of the Night bonus for his dominant victory.