Ian Garry vs Joaquin Buckley to headline UFC Tampa in December
It appears the Ultimate Fighting Championship has finalized UFC Tampa, the promotion having just added their 13th officially signed bout to the lineup, a welterweight headliner between no. 7 ranked Ian Garry (15-0) and no. 9 ranked Joaquin Buckley (20-6).
UFC Tampa, also known as UFC on ESPN 63, is to go down on December 14, 2024, live from the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.
Following a 6-1 amateur tenure Garry fought his first seven professional bouts under the Cage Warriors banner, claiming the welterweight championship in his fight just before joining the UFC in 2021.
Since joining the UFC’s welterweight division Garry has gone a perfect 8-0 showcasing victories over the likes of Jordan Williams (KO), Darian Weeks (UD), Gabriel Green (UD), Song Kenan (TKO), Daniel Rodriguez (TKO), Neil Magny (UD), Geoff Neal (SD), and Michael Page (UD).
Buckley on the other hand went 2-0 as an amateur before turning professional, accumulating a record of 10-2 prior to joining the UFC, fighting for Shamrock FC, Bellator, and LFA in that time.
Upon his arrival to the world’s leading mixed martial arts promotion in 2020 Buckley went 5-4 up at 185 lbs with a loss to Kevin Holland (TKO) in his UFC debut, wins over Impa Kasanganay (KO) and Jordan Wright (KO), followed by a defeat to Alessio Di Chirico (KO).
Buckley went on to win his next three straight against Antonio Arroyo (KO), Abdul Razak Alhassan (SD), and Albert Duraev (TKO) before losing back-to-back fights to Nassourdine Imavov (UD) and Chris Curtis (KO) in 2022.
Buckley’s defeat to Curtis caused him to drop back down to 170 lbs, a division he’d fought nine of his 12 pro bouts in prior to joining the UFC, where he’s since gone 5-0 with wins over the likes of Andre Fialho (TKO), Alex Morono (UD), Vicente Luque (TKO), Nursulton Ruziboev (UD), and Stephen Thompson (KO) in his most recent appearance at UFC 307.
Of Garry’s 15 professional wins seven come via knockout with seven decisions and just one submission, while of Buckley’s 20 professional wins coming in 14 come via knockout with six decisions.
Who wins this main event clash of welterweight contenders this December at UFC Tampa?
If you enjoyed this piece, feel free to share it on social media!
