Joaquin Buckley explains the spot after UFC Tampa win vs. Colby Covington

TAMPA, Fla. – Joaquin Buckley kept things short, sweet and to the point during his UFC on ESPN 63 post-fight press conference on Saturday.

After the most high-profile win of his career, Buckley (21-6 MMA, 11-4 UFC) answered only one question from reporters, but touched on a lot of topics in doing so.

“My first main event was a huge success,” Buckley told MMA Junkie and others backstage at Amalie Arena. “I feel like the whole card was very successful and I got a lot of knockouts. I feel like my fights shouldn’t have been stopped. It is what it is. You have to protect the fighters. I feel like 2025 is definitely my year and that we are definitely taking over. Having said that, this is on a six-fight winning streak. I have eight knockouts in the UFC.

“I feel like I’ve done enough to really put myself in a position to once again fight for that title. Even though I know Shavkat (Rakhmonov) is next, blessed with that fight, but if something happens where Shavkat or Belal (Muhammad) don’t step up in the octagon, I’ll face them. At the end of the day, we’ll keep this nice and short, bro. I’m definitely looking to take that throne in 2025 , bro. We out.”

Buckley, 30, defeated Colby Covington (17-5 MMA, 12-5 UFC) by medical stoppage in Round 3 due to a laceration. Covington’s right eyelid was badly sliced.

With the win, Buckley extended his streak to six. The win capped off a perfect 4-0 year in 2024 for him. After the fight, Buckley asked the crowd for his callout and gave them three choices: Leon Edwards, Kamaru Usman and welterweight champion Muhammad. The crowd chose Usman.

For more on the card, visit the MMA Junkies event hub for UFC on ESPN 63.