Colby Covington predicts outcome of Joaquin Buckley fight at UFC Tampa if "DEI doctor" hadn't stepped in: "He didn't outclass me"

Colby Covington, known for his controversial opinions and unfiltered trash talk, recently revisited his matchup with Joaquin Buckley in the final UFC fight of 2024. Covington claimed that he would have won if the doctor hadn't stepped in.

Covington headlined UFC Tampa opposite Buckley and found little success in the bout. Buckley landed big shots and even caused a cut above the former interim champion's eye. Subsequently, the cage-side doctor stepped in and declared 'Chaos' unable to continue, and referee Dan Miragliotta declared Buckley the winner via TKO.

However, Covington recently posted a video on his YouTube channel recounting his bout with Buckley and claimed that if it had not been for the doctor, he would have beaten 'New Mansa':

''The fight, you know, we were just getting warmed up. Everyone knows I’m a fourth and fifth-round fighter, I’m just getting started getting into those championship rounds. I could’ve finished him in that fourth and fifth round, he was breathing heavy. He didn’t have much more to offer, he wasn’t going to have much volume in those last rounds.”

Covington continued:

''It was a close competitive fight, he didn’t outclass me, he didn’t drop me, he didn’t really hurt me. There was a little cut that happened, and I rewatched it back. It was like minute two, and it was like a headbutt right off his hip or something. But, it wasn’t a punch… It’s unfortunate that DEI doctor stopped the fight early. I thought it was just getting started, and there was a lot more that needed to be settled in there.”

Check out Colby Covington's comments below (via Championship Rounds' X post):

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Kevin Holland reacts to Joaquin Buckley's victory against Colby Covington

Joaquin Buckley's dominant performance against Colby Covington earned him praise from many, including his former opponent, Kevin Holland. 'Trailblazer' recently expressed his admiration for Buckley during a conversation with BKFC star Mike Perry.

Holland said that given Buckley's showing against Covington, a title opportunity could be on the horizon:

''It's been a wonderful run at 170. Capitalizing on everything. I think the toughest fight he had was... I think [Rakhkmonov] was going to be his toughest fight. I think once he got past that, it wouldn't be too many guys. Honestly, I think he could get the title next at 170 pounds, I really do!"

Check out Kevin Holland's comments below (56:54):

Holland notably beat Buckley via KO back in 2020, when both fighters competed at middleweight. They have since dropped down to welterweight, with the former still taking fights at 185 pounds on occasion, while the latter has gone 6-0 since committing to the 170-pound division.