The UFC’s welterweight division is set for a shake-up as former interim champion Colby Covington prepares to make his long-awaited return to the Octagon. According to close sources, Covington will face rising star Joaquin Buckley in the main event of UFC Fight Night on Dec. 14 in Tampa, Florida.
Covington, ranked No. 6 in the UFC’s welterweight rankings, has been relatively inactive in recent years, with just three appearances since the start of 2021. His last fight was an unsuccessful title bid against then-champion Leon Edwards at UFC 296 in December 2022. Despite the setback, “Chaos” remains one of the division’s most polarizing and outspoken fighters, known for his relentless pace and elite wrestling skills.
A Clash of Styles
In Joaquin Buckley, Covington faces a dangerous striker who has quickly become a fan favorite for his highlight-reel knockouts. Buckley burst onto the scene in 2020 with a viral spinning back kick KO of Impa Kasanganay, which earned him widespread acclaim and the Knockout of the Year award. Since then, he has gone 5-2 in the UFC, showcasing his explosive athleticism and finishing instincts.
Buckley is a tough out for anyone in the division. He’s got legitimate one-punch knockout power and he’s always looking to finish the fight. Covington will need to be at his best to avoid getting caught.
– UFC analyst on Buckley’s striking threat
The clash of styles between Covington’s suffocating grappling and Buckley’s dynamic striking makes this a compelling matchup. Covington will likely look to close the distance, wear down Buckley against the fence, and drag him into deep waters with his relentless cardio. Buckley, meanwhile, will aim to keep the fight standing and land fight-ending shots.
Title Implications
The Covington-Buckley fight headlines a card that also features a pivotal welterweight contender bout between undefeated rising stars Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Garry. Rakhmonov and Garry were originally slated to face different opponents, but a reshuffling due to champion Belal Muhammad’s injury created this tantalizing matchup.
With Muhammad sidelined, the winners of these two key welterweight clashes will be in prime position to stake their claim for a title shot in 2024. Rakhmonov and Garry are two of the most promising young fighters in the sport, while a win for Covington would resurrect his championship aspirations after a trying couple of years.
High Stakes for Covington
For Covington, the Buckley fight represents a chance to reestablish himself as a top contender and erase the memory of his title fight loss to Edwards. A convincing victory would put him back in the mix for big fights against the likes of Khamzat Chimaev, Muhammad, and a potential rematch with rival Jorge Masvidal.
However, at 36 years old and with a lot of mileage on his body, Covington’s window for another title run may be closing. A loss to Buckley would be a major setback and could signal the beginning of the end for one of the welterweight division’s most infamous trash talkers.
This is do or die for Covington. He needs a big performance to show he’s still a threat to the top guys. If he loses to Buckley, it’s hard to see where he goes from here.
– UFC veteran on the stakes for Covington
A Golden Opportunity for Buckley
For Joaquin Buckley, the Covington fight is the biggest opportunity of his career. A win over the former interim champ would instantly make him a household name and catapult him into the title picture. It would also be a signature achievement on a resume that already includes several spectacular finishes.
Buckley has shown steady improvement since joining the UFC roster, sharpening his striking technique and shoring up his grappling deficiencies. A victory over a wrestler of Covington’s caliber would go a long way toward silencing doubts about his ground game and prove he’s more than just a flashy striker.
A Division in Flux
The welterweight division is in a state of flux, with a new champion in Belal Muhammad and a host of hungry contenders jockeying for position. The Covington-Buckley and Rakhmonov-Garry fights will go a long way toward clarifying the title picture and setting the stage for an exciting 2024.
With so much at stake, UFC fans can expect fireworks when these welterweight warriors collide on Dec. 14. Will Covington return to form and reassert himself as a top contender? Or will Buckley seize the moment and announce himself as a new force in the division? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the welterweight landscape is about to shift.
