Colby Covington vs. Joaquin Buckley: A Welterweight Showdown Headlines UFC Tampa
The final UFC event of 2024 takes place in Tampa, Florida, featuring a compelling welterweight clash between Colby Covington and Joaquin Buckley. Covington, a seasoned veteran and former interim welterweight champion, boasts a formidable record and three unsuccessful title bids. He enters the octagon seeking to rebound from a decision loss to Leon Edwards in his last outing. Buckley, the surging number nine ranked contender, is riding a remarkable six-fight winning streak since transitioning to the welterweight division in 2023. His recent victories include impressive knockouts over Vicente Luque and Stephen Thompson, solidifying his position as a dangerous rising star. Initial betting odds favored Buckley, and that trend has continued, with his odds shortening as the fight approaches. The matchup promises fireworks, with Buckley’s knockout power posing a significant threat to Covington’s wrestling-heavy approach.
Co-Main Event and Featured Bouts: Swanson vs. Quarantillo and More
The co-main event sees veteran featherweight Cub Swanson square off against Billy Quarantillo in a bout where both fighters are looking to break out of a pattern of alternating wins and losses. Swanson is coming off a split decision loss to Andre Fili, while Quarantillo suffered a submission defeat against Youssef Zalal in his previous fight. The betting odds slightly favor Quarantillo, suggesting a closely contested matchup. Further down the card, Manel Kape faces Bruno Silva in a flyweight contest that has seen significant line movement, with Kape now a heavy favorite. Vitor Petrino takes on Dustin Jacoby at light heavyweight, with Petrino expected to prevail. Adrian Yanez and Daniel Marcos will battle it out in the bantamweight division, with Marcos gaining favor with the oddsmakers. Finally, Navajo Stirling is a massive favorite against Tuco Tokkos in the opening light heavyweight bout of the main card.
Betting Odds and Predictions: A Closer Look at the Main Card
The betting landscape for UFC Tampa reveals interesting trends and potential value opportunities. The main event between Covington and Buckley is expected to be a knockout finish, with Buckley being the favored fighter to deliver the decisive blow. The co-main event between Swanson and Quarantillo is predicted to go the distance, with Quarantillo edging out a decision victory. The flyweight bout between Kape and Silva is also expected to go to the judges’ scorecards, with Kape emerging victorious. Petrino is favored to win by knockout against Jacoby, although an upset victory for Jacoby isn’t entirely out of the question. Yanez is predicted to score a knockout win against Marcos, while Stirling is heavily favored to secure a knockout victory over Tokkos, although the significant odds on Tokkos could present a tempting underdog bet for those seeking higher potential returns.
Prop Bets and Event Details: Additional Insights for UFC Tampa
Beyond the standard fight outcomes, several prop bets offer further opportunities for wagering on UFC Tampa. These include bets on Covington’s significant strikes and takedowns, the likelihood of the main event reaching the fifth round, and the method of victory in various fights. These prop bets provide a granular level of engagement for fans and bettors, allowing them to speculate on specific aspects of the fights. UFC Tampa takes place on December 14th at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. The preliminary card begins at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN+, followed by the main card at 10:00 PM ET, which can be viewed on ESPN2 and ESPN+.
Full Fight Card Breakdown: A Comprehensive Overview of UFC Tampa
The UFC Tampa card features a mix of established veterans and up-and-coming prospects, showcasing the depth of talent across multiple weight classes. The main card is headlined by the welterweight clash between Covington and Buckley, followed by the featherweight contest between Swanson and Quarantillo. The card also features exciting matchups in the flyweight, light heavyweight, and bantamweight divisions. The preliminary card includes several intriguing bouts that offer further opportunities to witness the skills and determination of rising stars. The full fight card features athletes from diverse backgrounds and fighting styles, ensuring an action-packed night of entertainment for MMA fans.
Preliminary Card Highlights and Overall Event Significance
The preliminary card further bolsters the UFC Tampa lineup with several notable contests. Veteran lightweight Michael Johnson faces Ottman Azaitar, while Joel Álvarez takes on Drakkar Klose in another lightweight bout. Sean Woodson and Fernando Padilla clash in the featherweight division, Miles Johns meets Felipe Lima at bantamweight, and Miranda Maverick faces Jamey-Lyn Horth in a women’s flyweight contest. Davey Grant squares off against Ramon Taveras at bantamweight, and Josefine Lindgren Knutsson battles Piera Rodriguez in the women’s strawweight division. These preliminary bouts provide a platform for emerging talents to showcase their skills and potentially earn their way onto future main cards. UFC Tampa marks the culmination of the 2024 UFC calendar, offering a thrilling finale before the promotion kicks off its 2025 schedule. The event’s mix of high-stakes main card bouts and compelling preliminary matchups promises to deliver a memorable night of action for MMA enthusiasts.
