STRONG IMAGE: Colby Covington is disfigured by brutal cut in defeat at UFC Tampa

Colby covington x Joaquin buckley - UFC Tampa. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC

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The night of December 14, 2024 brought one of the most impactful scenes in the career of Colby covington. The former interim welterweight champion (up to 77kg.) not only saw his fight against Joaquin buckley collapse, as he was also the victim of a medical interruption, which sealed his defeat in Tampa. The decision was made after the American suffered a deep cut on his eyelid, which left his right eye completely bloodied, making any possibility of continuity difficult.

Covington's eye cut showed early. In the opening minutes of the fight, the former champion tried his usual approach: physical pressure and takedown attempts. However, his strategy was not enough to stop Buckley's momentum, who quickly adjusted his stance and began attacking with powerful kicks and hard punches.

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During the break between the first and second rounds, the UFC referee and medical team approached to assess the condition of the fighter's eye. Although Colby requested to continue the fight, the condition was already critical. Even so, the fight continued and, in the second round, Colby's condition worsened. Buckley gave no respite and, once again, his cross strike made his opponent falter. Blood spread across the octagon, staining the fight scene.

As the third round progressed, Chaos' attempts to take the fight to the ground proved increasingly fruitless. Buckley stood his ground, landing accurate punches and showing impressive physical fitness. After a final exchange, the cut over the former champion's eye worsened to the point of making it difficult for him to see.

When referee Dan Miragliota returned to the Octagon and brought the doctor back to check on the fighter's condition, the decision was clear: the fight would be stopped. Covington, visibly injured, had to accept defeat, which was confirmed by the doctor's stoppage.

IT'S OVER! #UFCTamp

The fight is waved off and Joaquin buckley gets the TKO over Colby covington! pic.twitter.com/Kp9gK0zMZU

- UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) December 15, 2024

Due to a Doctor's Stoppage Joaquin buckley wins by TKO.#UFCTamp pic.twitter.com/rj6iEjNFkK

- UFC (@ufc) December 15, 2024

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