UFC Fight Analysis and Betting Picks for Covington vs Buckley at ESPN 63
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Strap in fight fans, because the UFC's last event of the year, UFC on ESPN 63, is about to deliver a Helluva show! Kicking things off in Tampa, Florida at the Amalie Arena, we've got a crackin' matchup between #6 Colby "Chaos" Covington and the #9 Joaquin "New Maddison" Buckley in a Welterweight showdown. With Tracy Cortez, Rose Namajunas, and Ian Machado Garry all pulled from the card, this event is looking a bit bare-bones, but don't you fret – there's still two ranked fights and plenty of up-and-comers aiming to make a splash.
Colby Covington vs Joaquin Buckley
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Covington, a fifteen-year UFC veteran and brief interim UFC Welterweight Champion back in 2019, has had a bit of a rough go since losing his title. He's lost three consecutive bouts in title fights, most recently to Leon Edwards at UFC 296 in December 2023. At 36 years young, Covington's had his fair share of battles, winning 17 of his 21 matches and taking on some heavy hitters like Jorge Masvidal and Tyron Woodley. But the haters are whispering – is he starting to feel the weight of the years?
Buckley, just 31, is a force to be reckoned with. He's been on a three-fight win streak in 2024 alone, taking out opponent after opponent with sheer dominance. Currently sitting at #9 in the UFC Welterweight rankings, a win against Covington could propel him to the next level, setting his sights on the likes of Leon Edwards, Shavkat Rahmonov, and even the champ himself, Kamaru Usman.
KO/TKO/DQ
Fighting Odds
1200
The Oddsmakers have Buckley as a solid favorite, and we're inclined to agree – Buckley's taken out every opponent he's faced via KO/TKO or decision, and his last three fights have all gone the distance.
140
| Method of Victory | Colby Covington | Joaquin Buckley || --- | --- | --- || KO/TKO/DQ | 1200 | 140 || Submission | 2000 | 2000 || Decision | 350 | 175 |
With Buckley's double chance wager staying at -270, pitting a betting slip together in his favor makes for an attractive play. Adding to that, an Under 4.5 Rounds bet might be worth the risk – never underestimate the power of an underdog, right?
Submission
Colby Covington Moneyline @ +235
2000
Joaquin Buckley Moneyline @ -290
2000
Cub Swanson vs Billy Quarantillo
This featherweight face-off between veteran Cub Swanson and the DWCS alumnus Billy Quarantillo is heating up. Swanson, at 41 years old, has fought in 43 matches, winning 29, and earning himself 7 UFC Fight of the Night awards. But the questions are beginning to surface – how much fight does this old dog have left in him? Swanson's record in his last six bouts is a bit spotty, with a mere three victories.
Decision
Quarantillo, on the other hand, is 36 and has won eight fights via knockout, while earning five more via submission and decision. With the two-inch height advantage, Quarantillo may be just what the doctor ordered to take down Swanson and break his winless streak.
350
As for how this one is likely to go down, our experts are leaning toward it going the distance. These two heavy hitters are too experienced to hold back, but both have a tendency to favor the ground game – expect a strategic, hard-hitting battle.
175
Billy Quarantillo Moneyline @ -162
Over 2.5 Rounds @ -130
Manuel Kape vs Bruno da Silva
The second ranked fighter bout of the night goes to #9 ranked bantamweight, Manuel Kape, as he takes on the Brazilian Bruno da Silva.
Kape, a former Rizin Fighting Federation Bantamweight Champion, has fought in 26 matches, taking home 19 wins and seven losses. With 11 knockout victories under his belt, Kape's a master of the KO – but his last three bouts have all gone the distance.
Da Silva, on the other hand, has taken on 22 fights, winning 16, with five losses, two draws, and one no contest. The 30-year-old Brazilian is a bit older than Kape, but he's more versatile – with six wins by knockout, four by submission, and four by decision, he's got a well-rounded offensive approach. Kape's recent win streak and contentious fight against Ode Osbourne may have left him a bit winded, giving da Silva the edge in this one.
Manuel Kape Moneyline @ -375
Under 2.5 Rounds @ +150
our website's UFC on ESPN 63 Parlay Picks
We're getting in on the UFC on ESPN 63 action with our special picks and parlays – check 'em out!
Joaquin Buckley KO/Points Double Chance Billy Quarantillo Moneyline Manuel Kape Moneyline 180 $10 Wins $28.07Get Up To $1,000 In Bonuses Bet NowUnder 4.5 Rounds Over 2.5 Rounds Under 2.5 Rounds 831 $10 Wins $93.12Get Up To $1,000 In Bonuses Bet Now
The total rounds betting parlay might be a bit risky, but the long odds are tempting – who knows, with a little luck and a few upsets, we might just strike gold!
1.Despite Colby Covington's status as a UFC veteran and former interim champion, the outlook for his match against Joaquin Buckley in 2024 may not be favorable, given Covington's recent three-fight losing streak in title fights.
- With Buckley's impressive win streak and dominance in the UFC Welterweight rankings, the likelihood of him beating Covington could propel him towards higher-ranked opponents such as Leon Edwards, Shavkat Rahmonov, and even Kamaru Usman.
- As the UFC on ESPN 63 event approaches, sports betting enthusiasts might find value in placing a wager on a double chance bet with Buckley being the solid favorite, especially considering his history of winning via KO/TKO or decision and the possibility of the fight going the distance.
