UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Buckley Full Fight Card, Date & Details
UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Buckley
United States
Main Card • Final
R3, 4:42
R3, 1:36
Fight of the Night
Portugal
R3, 1:57
Brazil
R3, 3:44
Performance of the Night
Peru
R3, 5:00
New Zealand
R3, 5:00
England
Prelims • Final
R2, 2:03
Performance of the Night
Morocco
Spain
R1, 2:48
R1, 4:58
Mexico
R3, 5:00
R3, 5:00
Canada
R3, 5:00
Venezuela
R3, 5:00
Sweden
Official Event Results
Official Post-Fight Bonus Awards
$50,000 Post-Fight Bonus Recipients
Fight of the Night: Cub Swanson and Billy Quarantillo each earned $50,000 for their dramatic, all-action featherweight shootout that culminated in a thrilling third-round finish.
Performance of the Night: Dustin Jacoby earned $50,000 for rallying from early adversity to knock out previously streaking light heavyweight contender Vitor Petrino at 3:44 of Round 3.
Performance of the Night: Michael Johnson received $50,000 for his vintage second-round walk-off punch finish against Ottman Azaitar.
Reported Payouts & Disclosed Purses
Fighter Purses & Total Payout Estimates
| Fighter | Result | Base Purse | Win / Finish Bonus | Performance Bonus | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | $50,000 | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | $50,000 | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | $50,000 | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | $50,000 | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — |
*Official fighter purse figures were not publicly disclosed by the Florida State Boxing Commission or the UFC. Base purses and contractual win bonuses remain confidential (indicated by —). Official post-fight bonus awards ($50,000 each) were confirmed for Cub Swanson, Billy Quarantillo, Dustin Jacoby, and Michael Johnson.
Historic UFC Records Set
Promotional Records Established at UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Buckley
Cub Swanson collected his 10th career Fight of the Night honor for his thrilling stoppage of Billy Quarantillo, breaking a tie with Max Holloway and Edson Barboza for the most in UFC history.
With his FOTN bonus, Swanson tied Dustin Poirier for the fourth-most post-fight bonuses in UFC promotional history (14), trailing only Charles Oliveira, Donald Cerrone, and Nate Diaz.
Buckley closed out a 4-0 campaign in 2024 by securing a third-round doctor stoppage over former interim champion Colby Covington, remaining undefeated since moving to welterweight.
Michael Johnson registered his 14th career UFC lightweight victory with a second-round walk-off knockout of Ottman Azaitar, tying him for the 8th-most wins in divisional history.
Jacoby rallied from early control to knock out Vitor Petrino at 3:44 of Round 3, capturing his second career UFC Performance of the Night bonus.
Spain’s Joel Álvarez preserved his perfect 100% stoppage rate across all 21 career wins, stopping Drakkar Klose with a flying knee and follow-up strikes at 2:48 of Round 1.
Rodríguez completed 8 of 10 takedowns and racked up 10 minutes and 24 seconds of mat control against Josefine Knutsson, establishing a 2024 high-water mark for strawweight ground control.
Peru’s Daniel Marcos preserved his unblemished professional record (17-0, 1 NC), defeating top bantamweight puncher Adrian Yanez via split decision.
Sean Woodson halted Fernando Padilla with just two seconds remaining in Round 1, matching the latest first-round knockout in UFC featherweight history.
Davey Grant converted on all 55 leg strike attempts (100% accuracy) over 15 minutes against Ramon Taveras, setting a promotional personal best for leg striking efficiency.
Contender Series breakout Navajo Stirling swept all three scorecards (30-27 x3) in his promotional debut against Tuco Tokkos, landing 78 significant strikes.
UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Buckley drew 18,625 attendees to Amalie Arena, producing a record-breaking $3,060,000 live gate for combat sports in Tampa, Florida.
When and where did UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Buckley take place?
The event took place on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, United States.
Why is this event also referred to as UFC on ESPN 63 or UFC Tampa?
While officially titled on UFC digital channels as UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Buckley, the main card was broadcast live in the United States on ESPN linear network television, designating it as UFC on ESPN 63 (or UFC on ESPN: Covington vs. Buckley), and referenced by media as UFC Tampa.
Who won the main event between Colby Covington and Joaquin Buckley?
Joaquin Buckley defeated former interim champion Colby Covington via TKO (doctor stoppage due to a cut) at 4:42 of Round 3 after outstriking Covington 75 to 37 in significant strikes.
What historic UFC record did Cub Swanson set at this event?
Cub Swanson earned his 10th career Fight of the Night bonus for his thrilling third-round knockout of Billy Quarantillo, breaking a tie with Max Holloway and Edson Barboza for the most Fight of the Night bonuses in UFC promotional history.
Who won the co-main event between Cub Swanson and Billy Quarantillo?
Veteran Cub Swanson knocked out Billy Quarantillo with a right hook at 1:36 of Round 3 in their featherweight co-main event shootout.
Who received the $50,000 post-fight bonus awards?
Four fighters received $50,000 bonuses: Cub Swanson vs. Billy Quarantillo won Fight of the Night, while Dustin Jacoby and Michael Johnson each collected Performance of the Night honors.
How did Michael Johnson defeat Ottman Azaitar?
Michael Johnson delivered a crisp walk-off punch knockout against Ottman Azaitar at 2:03 of Round 2, earning his 14th career UFC lightweight victory and a Performance of the Night bonus.
How did Dustin Jacoby defeat Vitor Petrino?
After weathering takedown attempts in the opening rounds, Dustin Jacoby caught Vitor Petrino with a thunderous right hand to win via KO at 3:44 of Round 3.
What happened in the fight between Joel Álvarez and Drakkar Klose?
Joel Álvarez landed a devastating flying knee and follow-up punches to stop Drakkar Klose via TKO at 2:48 of Round 1, keeping his 100% career finish rate intact.
How close to the end of the round was Sean Woodson’s knockout?
Sean Woodson stopped Fernando Padilla at 4:58 of Round 1 with just two seconds left on the clock, tying the record for the latest first-round knockout in UFC featherweight history.
What happened during the fight between Manel Kape and Bruno Silva?
Silva was penalized one point in Round 2 for repeated low blows before Manel Kape closed the show with a crushing liver kick and punches to win via TKO at 1:57 of Round 3.
What was the result of Daniel Marcos vs. Adrian Yanez?
Peru’s Daniel Marcos stayed unbeaten (17-0, 1 NC) by defeating ranked contender Adrian Yanez via split decision (28–29, 30–27, 29–28) in a back-and-forth 135-pound clash.
What was the official attendance and gate revenue for UFC Tampa?
The event drew a sellout crowd of 18,625 fans producing a live gate of $3,060,000 at Amalie Arena, breaking the all-time combat sports gate record for Tampa.
Who called the broadcast for UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Buckley?
Lead play-by-play voice Jon Anik was joined cage-side by Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier and former lightweight contender Paul Felder, with Bruce Buffer introducing fighters inside the Octagon.
How many fights took place on the card?
The card featured 13 bouts (6 on the main card and 7 on the prelims), featuring 7 knockout/TKO finishes and 6 decisions.
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