UFC Tampa 2024 Results: Buckley Finishes Covington in Final Fight of The Year, Swanson Stops Quarantillo

Joaquin Buckley finished Colby Covington in the welterweight headliner in UFC Tampa 2024: Covington vs. Buckley event which took place in front of sold out Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida on Sunday (December 15).

7 of 13 fights on the card, including the main and co-main event, ended in stoppages, while 6 fights on the card went the distance. All the 7 stoppage wins on the card were either knockout (KO) or technical knockout (TKO) finishes.

Joaquin Buckley right stopped Colby Covington in UFC Tampa 2024 main event — Joaquin Buckley (right) stopped Colby Covington in UFC Tampa 2024 main event (Image Courtesy: UFC X Handle)

At $3.06 million USD, UFC Tampa 2024 broke the North America record for a UFC Fight Night, while the 18,625 fans were in attendance at the Amalie Arena. There were four fighters who took home an extra USD 50K as bonus. Here is a look at the recap of UFC Tampa:

UFC Tampa 2024 Recap

Style-vs-style distinctly played out when No. 6 ranked welterweight Covington took on No. 9 Buckley in the final main event of 2024. Through three rounds, Buckley chased and busted up Covington's face with jabs and hooks.

Covington slowed as the fight progressed and couldn't capitalize on his shoots. Then before the third bell rang, the doctor ordered the fight stopped due to a cut Buckley caused over his right eye. The victory also saw Buckley take Covington's ranking.

After the win, Buckley said, "I know that wasn't the fight that you all really wanted, I know you wanted to see a knockout. I should have hurried up in the first round and got that. My bad. I've got to thank God for putting me right here and blessing me to chase my dreams.

"Now I can provide for my family, I can take care of my grandmother, I can give my kids a life I never had. It's a beautiful situation. My fans are going to pick my next opponent... I think it's Kamaru Usman, baby. Let's go.!"

Earlier in the co-main event, as expected, when featherweight finishers Cub Swanson and Billy Quarantillo came out in the opening round, fireworks ensued. Cub's relaxed, dropped hands striking style gave Billy Q a bit of difficulty, but he still went forward and got a takedown in the final seconds of the first round.

Hall Of Famer Swanson continued his brilliant movement, but Quarantillo was relentless and began landing his own shots. Their supreme conditioning and durability meant the audience was treated to a third round of incredible talent. Then 41 years old Swanson turned back the clock with a thunderous walk-off KO.

After his hand was raised, Swanson said, "Well, it takes two to tango. Gotta give it up to the hometown guy that was willing to throw down. So hey, thank you. My boxing coach is here.

"He's always like, 'Trust your right hand'. And it got the job done today. I kind of told my wife that this might be the last one, so we'll see. YI'm kind of old, guys. I want to say I appreciate you letting a 40-year old dad come out here and entertain you."

Also on the main card, Daniel Marcos edged Adrian Yanez for a split decision win, while Navajo Stirling dominated Tuco Tokkos to take the fight on the judges scorecard. Plus, Manel Kape and Dustin Jacoby claimed stoppage wins against their respective opponents. Here is a look at the bonus winners and final results:

UFC Tampa 2024 Bonus

Fight of the Night: Cub Swanson vs Billy Quarantillo
Performance of the Night: Michael Johnson
Performance of the Night: Dustin Jacoby