December 12, 2024 3: 30 pm ET
TAMPA, Fla. – UFC on ESPN 63 headliner Colby Covington wants to show that he’s still among the best at 170 pounds.
Covington (17-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) takes on the streaking Joaquin Buckley (20-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) in Saturday’s welterweight main event (ESPN2, ESPN+) at Amalie Arena.
In his past outing at UFC 296, Covington fell short in his third attempt at undisputed gold when he lost a unanimous decision to Leon Edwards. Covington broke his foot early in the fight and has something to prove to those writing him off after that performance.
“People have been trying to trash my name for too long when I’ve fought the best fighters in the world for eight to 10 years straight,” Covington told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s UFC on ESPN 63 media day. “This is my opportunity to come out, beat a young, hungry, up-and-comer that’s on a long, five-fight win streak and has a lot of hype behind his name, explosive hands.
“So, it’s an op