A welterweight bout with title implications is set to headline UFC Tampa on Saturday night.
Former interim champion Colby Covington will look to get himself back into contention in his first fight back since falling to a lopsided decision defeat against Leon Edwards when they clashed for UFC gold last December.
Joaquin Buckley was originally supposed to headline against Ian Machado Garry, but the Irishman ended up taking a short-notice bout against Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310.
Now Covington has stepped in and provided him with the chance to pick up a career-best win.
Bloody Elbow staff predict UFC Tampa main event
Jordan Ellis: “I think we are going to see the passing of the guard at UFC Tampa. Colby Covington’s wrestling game is still good enough to get him the decision against a bunch of top welterweights – but Joaquin Buckley may not be one of them. I’ve only been impressed by ‘New Mansa’ at 170lbs, so I simply can’t back against him in this one.”
Prediction: Joaquin Buckley by KO
Donagh Corby: “It’s a fascinating skills matchup between Colby Covington and Joaquin Buckley on Saturday night. The smart bet would be a five-round Covington decision where he wrestles and dominates, but there are a number of factors that make this tough to pick. Namely the combination of Buckley’s ability to find a big concussive shot and Covington’s questionable chin. This reminds me of the Deontay Wilder fights of old, and I will always pick the safer bet in these kinds of bouts.”
Prediction: Colby Covington by decision.
Jamie Theodosi: “Although Colby Covington has been regressing for a while now, he wouldn’t have taken this fight if he didn’t see a clear path to victory. Joaquin Buckley is the far more athletic fighter and better striker, however, I think Covington could end up controlling this fight against the cage for the majority of the 25 minutes.”
Prediction: Colby Covington by decision.
James Sweetnam: “Joaquin Buckley should go into his match-up with Colby Covington as a huge favorite. After all, he’s won his last five, compared to ‘Chaos’, who’s coming off a comprehensive loss to Leon Edwards. However, with such a colossal defeat weighing him down, the polarizing character knows he needs to perform, or risk being eliminated from the title picture forever. Therefore, assuming he still has something left in the tank, I’m going to back Covington to get the job done on points.
Prediction: Colby Covington by decision.
Tom Llewellyn: “Whilst Colby Covington claims that his year-long UFC absence has only served to fuel his desire to wrestle back control of the welterweight title, the fire burning inside ‘New Mansa’ has been burning far brighter and far more intensely of late. Since dropping down to 170lbs, Joaquin Buckley has left several UFC legends asleep on the canvas; and I predict that the Missouri native will add the former interim champion to that list come Sunday morning – Joaquin Buckley via a MAGA-nificent KO.
Prediction: Joaquin Buckley by KO
Curtis Calhoun: “Colby Covington will utilize a cautious approach early in response to Buckley’s explosiveness on the feet. In Round 2, Covington will find his timing with his wrestling and begin to control Joaquin Buckley and stop his advances. While Buckley will rally late with some big strikes, Covington will get the nod on the scorecards and squeak out a victory.”
Prediction: Colby Covington by decision
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