UFC on ESPN 63 live results: Colby Covington vs. Joaquin Buckley

It’s the final UFC event of 2024 as the Octagon visits Tampa, Florid, for the first time in five years for UFC on ESPN 63 at the Amalie Arena.

The main event will be five rounds of welterweight action as Colby Covington returns on short notice after a year-long layoff against rising contender Joaquin Buckley. Covington hasn’t fought since a decision loss to Leon Edwards in a title fight last December, while Buckley is looking to score his sixth straight win.

The co-main event is an exciting featherweight matchup as Cub Swanson looks to keep his career going with another win as he battles Billy Quarantillo.

Also on the main card is a battle of ranked flyweights as Manel Kape takes on Bruno Silva; a light heavyweight fight putting Vitor Petrino against Dustin Jacoby; and a bantamweight bout between knockout artist Adrian Yanez and undefeated Daniel Marcos.

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> Women’s Strawweights- Josefine Knutsson (8-0, 2-0 UFC) vs. Piera Rodriguez (9-2, 2-2 UFC)

Rodriguez connects with a pair of right hands that hurt Knutsson and she gets it down briefly before they stand and clinch against the fence. Knutsson now pressuring Rodriguez against the fence. Rodriguez gets a takedown but they get up and Knutsson lands a knee. They have a quick exchange and Rodriguez scores another takedown. They get up and Knutsson lands a combination as they separate. They trade and Rodriguez lands a head kick. Rodriguez with a knee and gets another takedown. Knutsson lands some elbows from the bottom that open a cut on Rodriguez. Rodriguez gets to side control. Rodriguez lands some big elbows from the top. 10-9 Rodriguez.

They have a quick exchange and Rodriguez lands a calf kick. Rodriguez lands and scores a takedown. They pop back up and trade, but Rodriguez scores another takedown and works inside the guard of Knutsson landing punches. Rodriguez gets the mount but Knutsson is able to force a scramble up and she pushes it to the fence. Rodriguez grabs the leg and works for a takedown. Knutsson lands an elbow. Rodriguez gets it back down to end the round. 10-9 Rodriguez, 20-18 Rodriguez.

Knutsson lands a right hand. Knutsson with a teet kick to the body. Rodriguez scores a takedown and Knutsson has the neck. Rodriguez landing to the body as Knutsson is holding the neck but doesn’t have a choke fully in. Rodriguez gets her neck out and is landing from the half-guard. Rodriguez lands an elbow then some right hands from the top. Rodriguez still working from the top as she is landing with Knutsson pinned down. Rodriguez gets the full mount and lands. Rodriguez lands from the top to end it. 10-9 Rodriguez, 30-27 Rodriguez.

Official Result- Piera Rodriguez def. Josefine Knutsson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Bantamweights- Davey Grant (13-7, 6-6 UFC) vs. Ramon Tavares (10-2, 1-0 UFC)

Grant with an inside leg kick then two more leg kicks. Grant lands some more leg kicks as Tavares lands a counter left hand. Grant lands a right hand then a high kick. Grant lands to the body. Grant with a pair of body kicks then a right hand. They trade inside the pocket. Grant lands a body kick. Grant lands a big right hand as they trade in close range, then a low blow is landed by Grant and we have a timeout. They get back going and trade punches. Grant with a high kick. Grant lands a leg kick. Tavares pressing forward. Grant with a stiff right hand. 10-9 Grant.

Grant lands a series of kicks then a right hand. They trade in close range. Tavares drops Grant with a right hand but lets Grant up. Tavares pressing forward. Grant lands several kicks all over. Grant lands a body kick and a body combo. Grant just misses a spin kick and it allows Tavares to land a couple of punches. Grant lands to the body. Grant lands a few right hands. Grant with a good combination. They trade punches and Grant with a combo. Tavares with a right hand. Grant landing more. Grant with a body kick. 10-9 Grant, 20-18 Grant.

They trade to start the third. Grant with a leg kick as Tavares lands to the body. Grant lands a big combination. Grant with a body kick then lands a punch combo. Grant lands a right hand. Grant lands to the body and follows with a jab. Grant with a combo against the fence and comes back with leg kicks. Grant wobbles Tavares with a right hand. Grant lands a leg kick. Grant with a right hand as he continues to pour on the volume. Grant with a big right hand then a leg kick. Tavares lands and they start trading in a quick wild exchange. They trade at the end. 10-9 Grant, 30-27 Grant.

Official Result- Davey Grant def. Ramon Tavares by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

> Women’s Flyweights- Miranda Maverick (14-5, 7-3 UFC) vs. Jamey-Lyn Horth (7-1, 2-1 UFC)

They trade kicks. They trade punches as Maverick lands a left hand. Maverick lands a left hand. Maverick with a leg kick. Maverick grabs a leg and pushes it to the fence. Maverick has the body lock. Maverick pressuring for the takedown. Horth defending with some punches. Maverick still working to get the takedown. Maverick gets it to the mat but they scramble up. Maverick lands a knee on the way up. Maverick pressuring against the fence. 10-9 Maverick.

Horth throws a kick and Maverick grabs the leg, pushing it to the fence. Horth defends with an elbow. Maverick with pressure against the fence. Horth is able to get the back of Maverick but there isn’t much action happening. Horth jumps on the back. Horth drops back and they go to the mat with Horth on the back. Horth lands some body shots. Horth looks for a choke but it’s more of a crank right now. Maverick gets out and scrambles up, then scores a takedown. Horth is able to get into the guard of Maverick. Horth landing as they get to their feet as she has body control. 10-9 Horth, 19-19.

They’re feeling each other out to start the third. Maverick lands a left hand. They trade leg kicks. Maverick lands a left hand. Horth lands and Maverick counters into a takedown. Maverick lands to the body as Horth lands a couple of elbows. Maverick lands from the top as Horth is looking to scramble out from the bottom. Horth looks for a leg and Maverick lands a hammerfist. Maverick with a few more hammerfists. They get to their feet and Maverick lands some clean left hands. 10-9 Maverick, 29-28 Maverick.

Official Result- Miranda Maverick def. Jamey-Lyn Horth by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Featherweights- Miles Johns (15-2 1 NC, 6-2 1 NC UFC) vs. Felipe Lima (13-1, 1-0 UFC)

Lima with a leg kick. Johns lands a right hand. Lima with a body kick. Lima lands a jumping knee after Johns stumbles. Johns looks for a takedown against the fence. They separate. Johns is hurt briefly after a clash of heads. Johns lands a combination. Lima with a leg kick. Lima with a spin kick. They trade jabs. Lima lands a right hand. They trade inside the pocket. 10-9 Lima.

Lima lands as he switches position. Johns with a leg kick and Lima lands a counter leg kick. They trade in close range. Lima lands a big right hand. Lima with a jab. Lima with the jab again as Johns nods his head. Lima scores a takedown. Lima looked for a choke but Johns is able to squirrel his way out. They separate and Lima lands an uppercut. Lima with a snapping jab. Lima with a right hand and jumping head kick. Johns stumbles Lima with a right hand. Lima lands a left hand and a body kick. Johns with a right hand. 10-9 Lima, 20-18 Lima.

Lima lands a body kick. Johns lands a jab. Johns with a leg kick. Johns lands a combo. Lima jumps on the back. Lima drags it down to the mat. Lima looking for a choke. Johns is able to escape and they get to their feet. Johns jumps on the back but Lima is able to shake him to the ground. They get up and Johns throws but Lima looks for the takedown. They go to the mat with Lima on the back but Johns spins to the top and lands. They get to their feet and separate. 10-9 Lima, 30-27 Lima.

Official Result- Felipe Lima def. Miles Johns by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Featherweights- Sean Woodson (12-1-1, 6-1-1 UFC) vs. Fernando Padilla (16-5, 2-1 UFC)

Padilla lands some punches and a knee but slips to the mat and it allows Woodson to get on top. They scramble and Padilla looked for a side triangle choke but they end up back on the feet. Padilla lands as Woodson is against the fence. Woodson lands a combo. Padilla lands a combination. Woodson lands a right hand and Padilla goes down, but he gets right up. Woodson lands and Padilla again, but gets right up. Padilla lands a knee against the fence. Woodson with a combination. Woodson with a left hand. Padilla lands a right hand. Woodson with a big right hand and he drops Padilla and ends it with a follow-up shot from the top. Big finish from Woodson!

Official Result- Sean Woodson def. Fernando Padilla by TKO (punches) at 4:58 of Round 1

> Lightweights- Joel Alvarez (21-3, 6-2 UFC) vs. Drakkar Klose (15-2-1, 9-2 UFC)

Klose with a leg kick and another. Klose with a series of kicks. Alvarez lands a solid right hand. Alvarez lands and Klose scores a big slam takedown. They get to their feet and Alvarez lands a right hand and then stumbles Klose with a right hand. Alvarez with a flying knee and Klose is out as Alvarez lands several punches and it is stopped. An incredible finish from Alvarez.

Official Result- Joel Alvarez def. Drakkar Klose by knockout (knee) at 2:48 of Round 1

> Lightweights- Michael Johnson (22-19, 14-15 UFC) vs. Ottman Azaitar (13-2, 2-2 UFC)

Azaitar with a body kick. They trade punches. Azaitar with a right hand. Johnson with a left to the body followed by a leg kick. Azaitar lands a combo. Johnson lands a left hand. They trade punches as both are circling. They trade inside the pocket. Johnson with a jab. Johnson lands a right hand as he looks for a takedown, but Azaitar breaks it with a knee. Johnson lands a solid right hand. Johnson stumbles Azaitar with a straight left hand. 10-9 Johnson.

Johnson with a left hand. He lands another before they have a wild exchange in close range. They have a quick exchange. They start throwing in close range and Johnson lands a big right hand and Azaitar goes down out cold. Johnson gets a few extra shots in before it’s stopped. Brutal finish from Johnson.

Official Result- Michael Johnson def. Ottman Azaitar by knockout (punch) at 2:03 of Round 2

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> Light Heavyweights- Navajo Stirling (5-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Tuco Tokkos (10-4, 0-1 UFC)

They trade kicks. Stirling with a teet kick to the body. Stirling with a heavy leg kick and Tokkos lands a leg kick. Stirling with a jab. They trade kicks. Stirling with a series of various kicks, then lands a right hand. Stirling with a left hook to the body. Stirling lands and Tokkos stumbles backwards. Stirling landing some punches and a big knee as Tokkos is hurt. Tokkos lands an uppercut in a brief clinch. Tokkos falls forward and Stirling has the neck but they stand and separate. Stirling lands to end it. 10-9 Stirling.

Tokkos lands a jab. Stirling lands and Tokkos goes for a takedown. He is able to briefly get it as they stand and Tokkos has the back. They stand and Stirling lands a flurry with a knee. Stirling lands some more as they separate. Stirling lands to the body but Tokkos is able to tie up and push it to the fence. Tokkos has the neck and drags it down to the mat. Tokkos moves to the back but isn’t landing. Stirling is able to roll it over and they stand and Tokkos connects. Stirling lands a right hand. 10-9 Stirling, 20-18 Stirling.

Stirling lands a big left hook. Tokkos lands a jab. Stirling with a jab. Tokkos looks for a takedown against the fence as he has the body. They break apart. Stirling lands and grabs the body lock against the fence. Tokkos reverses and looks to get it down but is mostly just holding on. They break apart and Stirling with an uppercut. Stirling lands a head kick. Stirling lands another head kick. Stirling lands to the body. Stirling landing more and Tokkos looks for a takedown late to no success. 10-9 Stirling, 30-27 Stirling.

Official Result- Navajo Stirling def. Tuco Tokkos by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Bantamweights- Adrian Yanez (17-5, 6-2 UFC) vs. Daniel Marcos (16-0 1 NC, 3-0 1 NC UFC)

They trade leg kicks as Yanez lands a pair of right hands. Marcos with a leg kick. Yanez with a double jab and a right hand. Marcos lands a big right hand and starts swinging as Yanez retreats. Marcos lands a leg kick. Marcos lands a groin strike and an eye poke at the same time so timeout is called. They get back to action. They trade right hands. Marcos with a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Marcos connects with a right hand. Marcos with a leg kick. They both connect with hard right hands. Marcos with a leg kick. Yanez gets the body lock and pushes it to the fence. Marcos reverses and lands a knee. Marcos with an elbow. 10-9 Marcos.

They trade and Yanez lands a big left hook. They trade punches. Yanez with a heavy leg kick and lands to the body, but then Marcos connects with a combo. Marcos lands a right hand. Yanez with a calf kick. Yanez lands a big right hand. Marcos with a combo. Yanez with two calf kicks. Yanez with a right hand then another. Marcos lands a right hand. Marcos with a leg kick and they both land in close range. Marcos lands a right hand. Marcos looks for a leg but lets go. Yanez lands a right hand. Marcos lands a right hand. 10-9 Yanez, 19-19.

They trade inside the pocket to start the round as both land big punches. Yanez lands a big right hand and Marcos is able to score a takedown. Marcos is holding on from the top. They stand and are still tied up. Yanez is able to break away. Marcos lands a right hand and scores another takedown. Yanez looks for the neck but Marcos gets his head out. They get to their feet. Marcos walks away with his hands low and is tired. They trade. Marcos with short uppercuts. They swing late. Close fight. 10-9 Marcos, 29-28 Marcos.

Official Result- Daniel Marcos def. Adrian Yanez by split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)

> Light Heavyweights- Vitor Petrino (11-1, 4-1 UFC) vs. Dustin Jacoby (19-9-1, 7-6-1 UFC)

Jacoby lands a leg kick. Petrino lands a leg kick. Petrino lands a right hand and Jacoby stumbles a little. Petrino lands a hard jab. Petrino with a high kick. Jacoby lands a leg kick. Jacoby connects with some punches. They trade as a takedown was attempted but they separate. Jacoby with a leg kick. Petrino lands a leg kick. Jacoby with a leg kick. Jacoby with a solid jab. 10-9 Jacoby.

Petrino lands a stiff jab as he’s pressuring. Petrino with a big flurry of quick shots. Jacoby lands a leg kick. Petrino lands a right hand. Jacoby with a leg kick. Petrino lands two high body kicks. Petrino lands a big right hand that has Jacoby retreating. Petrino lands a right hand as Jacoby lands a body kick. 10-9 Petrino, 19-19.

They trade leg kicks. Petrino lands a left hand. Jacoby lands a right hand. Jacoby with a jab. Petrino gets a brief takedown and has the back as they stand. They separate. Petrino lands a big jumping knee. Jacoby then lands a massive right hand that knocks Petrino out cold as he goes down. What a punch out of nowhere!

Official Result- Dustin Jacoby def. Vitor Petrino by knockout (punch) at 3:44 of Round 3

> Flyweights- #9 Manel Kape (19-7, 4-3 UFC) vs. #12 Bruno Silva (14-5-2 1 NC, 4-2 1 NC UFC)

Silva lands a combo. Kape lands a left hand. Kape with another left hand. Kape lands another. Silva quickly lands and Kape counters with a left hand. Silva lands a right hand. Kape lands a leg kick followed by a right hand and a left hand. Silva with a big punch. Timeout for a groin strike by Silva but they get back going. Silva lands to the body. Kape with a pair of left hands. Kape with a combo and a knee to the body. Another groin strike by Silva and we are back on timeout. They get back going and trade in close range. Kape lands a right hand. 10-9 Kape.

Kape with an inside leg kick then lands another. Silva looks for a takedown but Kape wiggles him off. Kape lands a big combo and starts showing off. Silva lands then Kape lands a big flurry. Another groin strike by Silva and another timeout is called. Silva gets a point taken away. They get back to action and trade. Kape with a big combination. Kape lands a right hand. He lands a leg kick. Kape with a combination. Silva lands a right hand. Kape with more quick big punches. Silva connects with some. 10-8 Kape, 20-17 Kape.

Silva connects to start the third and is trying to find a finish but Kape gets away. Kape now landing lots of combinations and mixing in body kicks. Kape with a big flurry to the body and lands a right hand. Silva with a left hook. Kape lands low and it isn’t called and Silva is hurt as Kape lands big punches and he finishes Silva off. What a finish from Kape!

Official Result- Manel Kape def. Bruno Silva by TKO (punches) at 1:57 of Round 3

> Featherweights- Cub Swanson (29-14, 13-10 UFC) vs. Billy Quarantillo (18-6, 6-4 UFC)

Quarantillo with a body kick and Swanson lands a leg kick. Swanson with a right hand. They trade kicks. Swanson lands a right hand. Swanson with a body kick then lands a right hand. Swanson lands a leg kick. Quarantillo with a leg kick and backs Swanson up with a left hand. Swanson returns fire and lands a combination. Swanson with a big right hand. Swanson stumbles Quarantillo with a right hand. Quarantillo lands a leg kick. Quarantillo lands a right hand. Swanson with a right hand. Swanson lands a big combination. Quarantillo with a leg kick. Swanson lands a leg kick. Quarantillo with a combo. They trade right hands and Quarantillo wobbles Swanson. Quarantillo gets a late takedown. 10-9 Swanson.

Quarantillo with a leg kick and they trade right hands. Quarantillo lands a right hand. Swanson with a combo and they both land. Swanson lands a right hand. Swanson lands a quick flurry. They trade inside the pocket and Quarantillo lands a big knee. Quarantillo follows it up with a combination before pushing it against the fence. Quarantillo with an uppercut and lands as they break. They tie up against the fence and Quarantillo gets a takedown. He has Swanson’s back as they stand. They separate and both land. Swanson lands a combo ending with a head kick. Quarantillo lands a big knee and goes for the takedown as they go to the mat. They stand and trade while tied up. 10-9 Quarantillo, 19-19.

Swanson lands a jab. He lands a right hand. Swanson with another right hand and lands to the body. Quarantillo with a right hand. Quarantillo shoots for a takedown against the fence. Swanson is able to escape. Swanson lands a massive right hand and Quarantillo goes down out cold! What a finish by Swanson!

Official Result- Cub Swanson def. Billy Quarantillo by knockout (punch) at 1:36 of Round 3

> Welterweights- #6 Colby Covington (17-4, 12-4 UFC) vs. #9 Joaquin Buckley (20-6, 10-4 UFC)

Covington lands a body kick. Buckley lands a jab. Buckley with a leg kick followed by a left hand. Covington shoots for a takedown but Buckley defends. Buckley with a pair of body kicks. Buckley lands a combination as Covington has a cut around his eye. Buckley with a head kick followed by a body kick. Buckley lands a left hand. Buckley lands a combo. Covington shoots for a takedown against the fence. Buckley defends and backs away. Buckley lands a big combination. Buckley drops Covington late with a right hand. 10-9 Buckley.

They trade to start the second. Covington shoots for a takedown but Buckley sprawls away and lands on Covington and to the body. Buckley with a right hook to the body. Buckley with a combination. Covington goes for a takedown against the fence and is able to get it down. Covington lands to the body from the half-guard. He gets to side control but they get to their feet and separate. Buckley with a high kick. Buckley with a combo. Buckley with a leg kick. Buckley with a double jab. Covington lands a left hand. Buckley with a jab. Buckley lands two left hands. 10-9 Buckley, 20-18 Buckley.

Covington goes right for the takedown but Buckley easily circles away. Buckley with a jab then a leg kick. Covington lands a spin kick. Buckley lands some big punches. Covington tries for the takedown but Buckley ends up on top in mount. Buckley lands as they stand and lands some more. Covington’s eye is a mess. Buckley with a combination. Covington tries to get it down but Buckley sprawls and lands from the top. Covington trying to scramble but Buckley looks for a triangle choke but Covington escapes. Covington is on top and lands some short punches. They get to their feet. Covington drops down to get it down but Buckley defends and they break. Timeout is called to check on Covington’s cut and the fight is stopped. Buckley picks up the win as he was dominant but in lackluster fashion.

Official Result- Joaquin Buckley def. Colby Covington by TKO (cut) at 4:42 of Round 3