Tampa hosts the final UFC event of 2024

Published on 13 December 2024 at 16:00

The final UFC fight card of 2024 will take place at the Amalie Arena in Tampa after an incredible year of MMA. The Main Event sees the #6 Welterweight contender, Colby Covington, take on the #9 contender, Joaquin Buckley. Here is everything you need before it all kicks off in Florida.

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Covington fought a year ago when he challenged Leon Edwards for the UFC Welterweight title, but would be unsuccessful as he lost by unanimous decision at UFC 296.

In three of his last five fights, Chaos competed in three undisputed title bouts, but before that, he was on a seven-fight winning streak with wins over Demian Maia, Rafael Dos Anjos and Robbie Lawler.

The Clovis-born fighter does like to go the distance with his opponents, but has earned some finishes in his MMA career with three KO/TKO victories and five submissions.

The #6 contender is in an awkward position for the future of his career, however, if he can bounce back with a win in Tampa he may come close to having a fifth title shot in his UFC career.

 

Buckley earned the biggest win of his career when he became the second fighter to knockout Stephen Thompson, defeating Wonderboy in the third round at UFC 307.

New Mansa is currently on a five-fight winning streak and has remained undefeated in the UFC Welterweight division, beating the likes of Vicente Luque, Alex Morono and Nursulton Ruziboev.

The St Louis mixed martial artist is a dangerous knockout artist, stopping 14 of his 20 opponents by KO/TKO with the majority of those ending in round two.

The #9 contender competes for the fourth time this year as not only will he be aiming to keep his 100% win rate in 2024, but rise up the Welterweight rankings as he could be seemingly close to title contention.

other fights you should look out for

Cub Swanson vs Billy Quarantillo - Swanson last fought at UFC 303 where he would lose a close split decision to Andre Fili. The Palm Springs-born fighter does like to stop a battle inside three rounds, defeating 13 opponents by KO/TKO and four by submission out of 29 MMA victories. Swanson has the third most fights and wins in UFC Featherweight history as the 41-year-old aims to bring more success before the end of his career.

Quarantillo suffered his first submission loss at UFC Vegas 89 when he was defeated by Youssef Zalal in the second round. The New York mixed martial artist has stopped most of his opponent that he has faced as with 18 wins, eight of those ended by KO/TKO and five by submission. Quarantillo has been up and down in his last eight fights as he tries to bounce back from his most recent loss and end 2024 on a high.

 

Vitor Petrino vs Dustin Jacoby - Petrino lost his undefeated MMA record when he faced Anthony Smith at UFC 301, losing by first-round submission. Its not often to see the Brazilian go the distance as seven wins have ended by KO/TKO and one by submission. The Santa Luiza-born fighter is aiming to get back in the win column and once again contest with the Light Heavyweight rankings.

Jacoby is currently on a two-fight losing streak with his last bout ending by first-round knockout against Dominick Reyes at UFC Louisville. The Hanyak is heavily dominant on the feet with 12 of his 19 wins ending by KO/TKO. The Colorado fighter will be hoping for redemption in Tampa after falling off the Light Heavyweight rankings from his last defeat.

 

Joel Alvarez vs Drakkar Klose - Alvarez is on a two-fight winning streak after defeating Elves Brenner by third-round TKO at UFC Abu Dhabi. El Fenomeno has a 100% finish rate in MMA with 17 of his 21 victories ending by submission and four by KO/TKO. The Spaniard is looking like a promising prospect in the Lightweight division and a win in Florida could see him enter the 155-pound rankings.

Klose is on a roll with a four-fight winning streak after triumphing in his last bout against Joaquim Silva, winning by unanimous decision at UFC 301. The Michigan fighter often goes to the judges scorecards, but has stopped six of his 15 conquered opponents by KO/TKO. Klose has been close to the Lightweight rankings and a win against Alvarez could earn him a position in the top 15.

 

Who takes the win between Colby Covington and Joaquin Buckley? Which fight are you looking forward to the most?

 

Written by Charlie Oxtoby

 

Instagram: charlie_oxtoby

MMA Instagram: undisputed._.mma

Twitter: Charlie_Oxtoby1

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