Tag: Joaquin Buckley

USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings, Dec. 17: Joaquin Buckley, Manel Kape soar

Check out the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings following UFC on ESPN 63 including movement from Joaquin Buckley and Manel Kape.

UFC on ESPN 63 took place Saturday in Tampa, Fla. and resulted in all sorts of movement in the USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings.

Most notably, main event victor [autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag] (21-6 MMA, 11-4 UFC) traded places in the welterweight rankings with the man he stopped on a cut, multitime UFC title challenger Colby Covington (17-5 MMA, 12-5 UFC). Buckley slides to Nov. 5 while Covington falls to No. 10.

Additionally, a big win for [autotag]Manel Kape[/autotag] (20-7 MMA, 6-3 UFC) results in him bumping up into the No. 6 position in the flyweight rankings. That’s for a TKO win over Bruno Silva (14-6-2 MMA, 4-3 UFC).

Wins from [autotag]Daniel Marcos[/autotag], [autotag]Miranda Maverick[/autotag], and Invicta FC’s [autotag]Jennifer Maia[/autotag] also had impact in the rankings.

Check out all the latest pound-for-pound and divisional USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings.

Kamaru Usman responds to Joaquin Buckley’s callout after UFC Tampa

When healthy, Kamaru Usman is ready to step up to anyone’s callout – including Joaquin Buckley’s.

When healthy, [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] is ready to respond to anyone’s callout – including [autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag].

Usman’s (20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) name has been mentioned by various top UFC welterweight contenders, and the former champion has grown tired of it. Most recently, UFC on ESPN 63 winner Buckley (21-6 MMA, 11-4 UFC), who stopped Colby Covington this past Saturday, resorted to the fans to help him pick who’s next. Out of Leon Edwards, UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, and Usman, “The Nigerian Nightmare” got the loudest pop from the crowd at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla.

Usman reiterates that he’s willing to fight anyone but not until he’s 100 percent ready.

“I feel like the hot chick at the bar,” Usman said on his “Pound 4 Pound” podcast. “Everybody wants a piece, but hey, it’s almost like no one’s listening to what I’m saying. No one’s getting what I’m saying. I don’t care who it is.

“Shavkat (Rakhmonov), Belal, Ian (Machado Garry), Buckley, JDM (Della Maddalena), I don’t care who it is. One thing that I won’t do, because I’ve done for so long and too much, which is partially why I’m having to take this layoff, is compete when I’m not ready. When I am healthy, I don’t care who it is.”

After watching Buckley fight Covington, Usman likes his chances against him.

“I remember watching and I’m going, ‘Oh, I like that fight,’ I really like that matchup,” Usman said. “Covington took him down a couple of times. Obviously me and Covington, we utilize the wrestling differently in how we approach fights. Most people know when I take you down, you’re not getting up unless I want you to get up.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 63.

Overreaction Time: Covington a fraud? Sold on Topuria to 155? Adesanya under pressure? More!

Check out the latest episode of “Overreaction Time” on the fallout from UFC Tampa, plus some major developments and a big main event booked.

The time for overreacting is here!

Check out the latest episode of “Overreaction Time” at noon ET/9 a.m. PT as host Simon Samano and MMA Junkie Radio host “Gorgeous” George Garcia debate these “overreactions” on the following topics in mixed martial arts:

  • UFC Tampa newsflash: [autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag] was a FRAUD this whole time.
  • UFC Tampa: [autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag] is the MOST DANGEROUS fighter in the welterweight division.
  • UFC Tampa: The best finish of the night was ROBBED of a bonus.
  • [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] moving to lightweight would be a GOOD MOVE for his career.
  • [autotag]Demetrious Johnson[/autotag] was WISE to brush off Alexandre Pantoja’s callout.
  • UFC Saudi Arabia: The pressure is on [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] to win DEFINITIVELY against Nassourdine Imavov.

Watch the full episode in the video above.

Video: Is Colby Covington done? What’s next for Joaquin Buckley after UFC Tampa?

Colby Covington’s days as an elite welterweight could be over, while Joaquin Buckley is just getting started? We discuss the fallout from the UFC Tampa headliner.

UFC on ESPN 63 might’ve been the birth of title contention for one fighter and the end of it for another.

This past Saturday in Tampa, Fla., [autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag] defeated and stopped former UFC interim champion [autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag] in the main event. The result pushed Buckley’s (21-6 MMA, 11-4 UFC) impressive winning streak at welterweight to six, while also putting Covington (17-5 MMA, 12-5 UFC) on a two-fight losing streak and 1-3 in his past four trips to the octagon.

So, is it safe to say that Buckley is now championship material? Are Covington’s days as en elite welterweight over?

MMA Junkie’s Brian “Goze” Garcia, Mike Bohn, Danny Segura and host “Gorgeous” George discuss what’s next for the two headliners.

Watch their discussion in the video above, and don’t miss this week’s complete episode of “Spinning Back Clique” below on YouTube.

https://youtube.com/live/QvKtS8RXBbs

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Michael Bisping hits Colby Covington with harsh reality in UFC Tampa loss to Joaquin Buckley

Michael Bisping thinks Joaquin Buckley was a step ahead of Colby Covington in all facets at UFC on ESPN 63.

[autotag]Michael Bisping[/autotag] thinks [autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag] was a step ahead of [autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag] in all facets at UFC on ESPN 63.

Covington (17-5 MMA, 12-5 UFC) suffered a doctor stoppage TKO loss to Buckley (21-6 MMA, 11-4 UFC) in Saturday’s main event at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla., after a cut on his right eyelid eventually impaired his vision.

Bisping credits Covington for taking the fight on three weeks’ notice against a dangerous contender in Buckley.

“Colby Covington, fair play, I respect him,” Bisping said on his YouTube channel. “He stepped up on short notice, wanted to defend his spot, wanted to prove that he’s willing to take on young, up-and-coming contenders. But tonight was not his night.”

However, Bisping hit the former title challenger with some harsh reality. Although Covington appeared to be rallying in Round 3 before the fight was stopped, Bisping thinks Buckley had his number throughout.

“He was not good enough, he wasn’t quick enough, he wasn’t powerful enough with the wrestling,” Bisping continued. “Joaquin Buckley just kind of picked him apart, busted him up early, opened up a cut right on the eyelid.

“… It was a really good performance. Now granted, Colby Covington as the fight was going on, he was having more success with the wrestling. But his face was a mess. He was getting pieced up by Joaquin Buckley.”

Buckley talked about not getting enough credit in his rise up the welterweight rankings, and Bisping could feel it in his demeanor.

“Buckley is a powerful man, and he’s a bad motherf*cker,” Bisping said. “He’s been in a mood all week. He’s had a real chip on his shoulder and he uses that to fuel himself, OK? Some people don’t necessarily want that negative energy.

“But Joaquin Buckley, listen: All day long, the negative energy, whatever you want to call it, the man’s getting results inside the octagon. He’s clearly working his ass off. He stopped most of the takedowns, and he pieced up Colby Covington on the feet.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 63.

Joaquin Buckley coming for UFC throne in 2025, willing to step into title fight if needed

Where does Joaquin Buckley fit into the UFC welterweight division? He explains after his Tampa win over Colby Covington.

TAMPA, Fla. – [autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag] kept things short, sweet, and to the point during his UFC on ESPN 63 post-fight news conference Saturday.

Following the most high-profile victory of his career, Buckley (21-6 MMA, 11-4 UFC) only answered one question from reporters, but touched on a lot of topics in doing so.

“My first main event was a big success,” Buckley told MMA Junkie and others backstage at Amalie Arena. “I feel like the whole card was very successful, getting a lot of knockouts. I feel like my fights shouldn’t have been stopped. It is what it is. You’ve got to protect the fighters. I feel like 2025 is definitely my year and we definitely taking over. With this being said, this is on a six-fight winning streak. I’ve got eight knockouts within the UFC.

“I feel like I’ve done enough to really put myself in a position to, yet again, fight for that title. Even though I know Shavkat (Rakhmonov) is next, blessed to that fight, but if anything happens where Shavkat or Belal (Muhammad) doesn’t step up into the octagon, I want to face them. At the end of the day, we’re going to keep this nice and short, bro. I’m definitely looking to take that throne in 2025, bro. We out.”

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Buckley, 30, defeated Colby Covington (17-5 MMA, 12-5 UFC) by doctor’s stoppage in Round 3 due to a laceration. Covington’s right eyelid was badly sliced.

With the win, Buckley extended his streak to six. The victory concluded a perfect 4-0 year in 2024 for him. After the fight, Buckley polled the audience for his callout and gave them three choices: Leon Edwards, Kamaru Usman, and welterweight champion Muhammad. The audience chose Usman.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 63.

Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Joaquin Buckley after UFC Tampa win?

Joaquin Buckley is 6-0 at welterweight and an undeniable contender after UFC on ESPN 63, so where does he go next? We play matchmaker.

(ALSO SEE: Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Colby Covington after UFC Tampa loss?)

[autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag] got the signature win for his resume that he’s been looking for since dropping down to welterweight when he took out three-time title challenger Colby Covington on Saturday in the UFC on ESPN 63 main event.

Buckley (22-6 MMA, 11-4 UFC) moved to 6-0 since he left middleweight when he battered and bloodied Covington (17-5 MMA, 12-5 UFC) en route to a third-round doctor’s stoppage TKO at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla.

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After the big victory, Buckley said his sights are set on the 170-pound title, and he’s willing to go through former champion Kamaru Usman to get there.

Is that the fight to make, though, or is there a better option on table for Buckley? Watch the video above for thoughts and analysis on his future after UFC on ESPN 63.

Watch the video above for thoughts and analysis on his future.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 63.

UFC on ESPN 63 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: 2024 total tops $8.2 million

With 2024 a wrap for the UFC, see a breakdown of how much money was paid under the Promotional Guidelines Compliance program.

Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 63 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $208,500.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC on ESPN 63 took place at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla. The card aired on ESPN2 and streamed on ESPN+.

The full UFC on ESPN 63 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Cub Swanson[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Billy Quarantillo[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Manel Kape[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Bruno Silva[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Dustin Jacoby[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Vitor Petrino[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Daniel Marcos[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Adrian Yanez[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Navajo Stirling[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Tuco Tokkos[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Michael Johnson[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Ottman Azaitar[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Joel Alvarez[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Drakkar Klose[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Sean Woodson[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Fernando Padilla[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Felipe Lima[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Miles Johns[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Miranda Maverick[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Jamey-Lyn Horth[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Davey Grant[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Ramon Taveras[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Piera Rodriguez[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Josefine Knutsson[/autotag]: $4,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,630; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $32,000 while title challengers get $42,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-63 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2024 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $8,280,500
2023 total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $31,017,500

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 63.

Joaquin Buckley def. Colby Covington at UFC Tampa: Best photos

Check out these photos highlighting Joaquin Buckley’s TKO win over Colby Covington at UFC on ESPN 63.

Check out these photos highlighting [autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag]’s third-round doctor’s stoppage TKO win over [autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag] at UFC on ESPN 63 from Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla. (Photos by Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)

UFC Tampa results: Joaquin Buckley dominates Colby Covington before doctor stoppage TKO

Colby Covington’s eye was in serious danger, according to the UFC Tampa doctor, resulting in a big win for Joaquin Buckley.

[autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag] sliced and diced his way to the biggest victory of his career at UFC on ESPN 63.

In Saturday’s main event at Amalie Arena from Tampa, Fla., Buckley (21-6 MMA, 11-4 UFC) defeated former title challenger [autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag] (17-5 MMA, 12-5 UFC) by doctor stoppage due to a cut at 4:42 of Round 3.

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Covington was sliced on his right eyebrow early in the fight. As the bout progressed, the cut worsened – enough to the point where the presiding physician said between Rounds 2 and 3 that if it worsened, she was going to stop the fight.

True to her word, when referee Dan Miragliotta called timeout with 18 seconds left in Round 3 for re-examination of the gash, the doctor called off the fight.

Laceration aside, Buckley found much success for the nearly 15 minutes that the fight lasted. Covington was largely unsuccessful with his takedown attempts, though he scored one early in Round 3. Covington’s striking did not have much for Buckley, who conversely was able to land his fair share of blows.

With the win, Buckley continues his flight up the divisional ladder with his sixth win in a row. He polled the crowd with three callout options during his post-fight interview. Kamaru Usman topped Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad in that poll.

Joined by Hulk Hogan on the walkout and Chael Sonnen in his corner, Covington was unable to find the recipe to bounce back from a lackluster December 2023 loss to champion Leon Edwards. Saturday’s defeat was his second-straight loss and his third in four fights.

Complete UFC on ESPN 63 results:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 63.