Buckey has been busy this year, with three fights under his belt in 2024 already. The 30-year-old is enjoying a five-fight win streak, with his most recent success coming at UFC 307 when he defeated Stephen Thompson by third-round knockout.

He now faces Covington after having originally been scheduled to take on Ian Machado Garry, who instead fought Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310. 

Covington, 36, returns to the Octagon for the first time since losing to Leon Edwards in a UFC welterweight championship bout nearly a year ago.

Here's everything you need to know ahead of Covington vs. Buckley.

Covington vs. Buckley fight date, start time

• Date: Saturday, December 14 
• Main card start time: 7 p.m. ET / 12 a.m. UK (Sunday) 
• Main event cagewalks (approx): 10 p.m. ET / 3 a.m. UK (Sunday)

The cagewalks for Covington vs. Buckley are scheduled for 10 p.m. ET / 3 a.m. UK with the main card scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET / 12 a.m. UK. These timings are subject to change. 

What channel/stream is Covington vs. Buckley?

• U.S.: ESPN+
• UK: TNT Sports

Fans in the U.S. can stream the fight on ESPN+ (click here for more information), while TNT Sports will broadcast the fight in the UK. 

Where is the Covington vs. Buckley fight?

The fight will take place at the Amelie Arena in Tampa, Florida. 

Colby Covington record and bio

• Nationality: American
• Date of birth: February 22, 1988
• Height: 5' 11"
• Reach: 72"  
• Total fights: 21   
• Record: 17-4-0

Joaquin Buckley record and bio

• Nationality: American
• Date of birth: April 27, 1994
• Height: 5' 8"
• Reach: 76"   
• Total fights: 26   
• Record: 20-6-0   

Covington vs. Buckley fight card

Main Card

• Colby Covington vs. Joaquin Buckley; Welterweight
• Cub Swanson vs. Billy Quarantillo; Featherweight
• Manel Kape vs. Bruno Silva; Flyweight
• Vitor Petrino vs. Dustin Jacoby; Light heavyweight
• Adrian Yanez vs. Daniel Marcos; Bantamweight
• Navajo Sterling vs. Tuco Tukkos; Light heavyweight

Prelims

• Michael Johnson vs. Ottman Azaitar; Lightweight
• Joel Alvarez vs. Drakkar Klose; Lightweight
• Sean Woodson vs. Fernando Padilla; Featherweight
• Miles Johns vs. Felipe Lima; Featherweight
• Miranda Maverick vs. Jamey-Lyn Horth; Women's flyweight
• Davey Grant vs. Ramon Taveras; Bantanmweight
• Josefine Knutsson vs. Piera Rodriguez; Women's strawweight