Joaquin Buckley was accused of cheating by Colby Covington, which robbed Colby of the ability to shine in the later rounds.
Colby Covington Feels Robbed of His Chance to Shine
Known for his incredible cardio and ability to turn up the pressure in the championship rounds, Covington insists he was just getting started when the fight was stopped. He expressed confidence that he could have overwhelmed Buckley in the fourth and fifth rounds, where he typically shines.
“The fight, you know, we were just getting warmed up. Everybody knows I’m a fourth and fifth-round fighter. I could’ve finished him in that fourth and fifth round. He was breathing heavy, he didn’t have much more to offer,” Covington said on his YouTube channel.
Covington’s claims are rooted in his past performances, where his pace and endurance have often been deciding factors in the later stages of his fights. He firmly believes that Buckley would not have been able to keep up as the fight progressed
Controversy Over the Fight’s Stoppage
The fight’s conclusion has sparked heated debate among fans and analysts. The cageside physician stopped the fight, citing the severity of the cut over Covington’s right eye, which reportedly posed a risk to his eyelid. While some argue the decision was made with fighter safety in mind, Covington has a different perspective.
He claims that the cut wasn’t the result of a punch but rather an accidental headbutt early in the third round.
“I rewatched the film. It was like minute two, and it was like a headbutt right off his hip or something. But it wasn’t from a punch. That’s the only thing that really limited my potential to be at 100 percent,” Covington explained.
Additionally, he criticized the physician’s decision, referring to him as a “DEI doctor” and arguing that the fight was stopped too soon. Covington expressed frustration that the bout ended before he had the opportunity to demonstrate his full capabilities, claiming there was still “a lot more that needed to be settled in there.”
Buckley’s Performance Fails to Impress Covington
Despite the loss, Covington dismissed Buckley’s performance, claiming that he was not impressed by anything Buckley did in the Octagon. Statistically, Buckley had the upper hand in significant strikes, landing 75 to Covington’s 37. However, Covington downplayed the disparity, arguing that Buckley’s strikes lacked the power and precision to truly hurt him.
The overall strike count was much closer, with Buckley landing 81 strikes compared to Covington’s 71. Yet, Covington stood firm in his belief that Buckley was beginning to fade and would not have been able to sustain his performance in the later rounds.
“He didn’t outclass me, he didn’t drop me, he didn’t really hurt me. There was a little cut that happened, but it wasn’t from a punch,” Covington said.
While Buckley extended his winning streak to six fights with the victory, Covington was quick to dismiss the significance of the result. The loss has fueled speculation about a potential rematch, with many fans hoping for a clearer resolution to the rivalry between these two fighters.
For now, Covington remains steadfast in his belief that he was on the verge of a dominant performance, and he has vowed to prove himself in his next outing. Whether a rematch is in the cards or not, this fight has left an indelible mark on both fighters’ careers and will undoubtedly be a topic of discussion in the UFC community for some time to come.
