Ian Machado Garry vs. Joaquin Buckley Set for Main Event at UFC Tampa

The UFC has confirmed that rising welterweight stars Ian Machado Garry and Joaquin Buckley will headline the promotion’s final event of 2024. UFC Tampa, scheduled for December 14 at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, promises to be an electrifying night of action capped off by this five-round main event.

Ian Machado Garry will face Joaquin Buckley in the main event at #UFCTampa on December 14, UFC announced. pic.twitter.com/EfPAYlnks5

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) November 1, 2024

Ian Machado Garry, the undefeated Irish phenom, enters this bout with an impressive 15-0 record (8-0 in the UFC). Currently ranked No. 7 in the official UFC welterweight rankings, Garry has been on a tear since joining the promotion. His 2024 campaign has been particularly noteworthy, with victories over established veterans Geoff Neal at UFC 298 and Michael “Venom” Page at UFC 303.

At just 26 years old, “The Future” has lived up to his moniker, showcasing a well-rounded skill set and the poise of a seasoned veteran. This main event slot represents a significant step up for Garry and an opportunity to solidify his position as a legitimate title contender.

Joaquin Buckley, ranked No. 9 in the division, has experienced a career renaissance since dropping down to welterweight in May 2023. The 30-year-old “New Mansa” is riding an impressive five-fight winning streak, with three of those victories coming by way of knockout.

Buckley’s most recent performance was particularly eye-catching, as he scored a spectacular knockout over two-time title challenger Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson at UFC 307 in early October[2]. This victory not only propelled Buckley into the top 10 but also demonstrated that he’s a force to be reckoned with in the 170-pound division.

Wow, Joaquin Buckley finaliza a un Wonderboy que venía haciendo una buena pelea. Sorprendió a todo el mundo con esa mano derecha! #UFC307 pic.twitter.com/5R6V61agRP

— Fanáticos del MMA GT (@fanaticosMMAGT) October 6, 2024

This main event matchup carries significant implications for the welterweight division. With both fighters ranked in the top 10 and on impressive winning streaks, the victor could find themselves knocking on the door of title contention.

The timing of this announcement is particularly intriguing, coming just a day after news broke that welterweight champion Belal Muhammad was forced to withdraw from his scheduled title defense against Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310. While neither Garry nor Buckley will be stepping in as a last-minute replacement for that bout, a dominant performance in Tampa could position the winner for a potential title eliminator in early 2025.

From a stylistic perspective, this matchup promises fireworks. Garry’s technical striking and grappling acumen will be put to the test against Buckley’s explosive power and athleticism. Both fighters have shown the ability to finish fights, with Garry’s precision facing off against Buckley’s raw knockout power.

UFC Tampa Fight Card

The UFC Tampa card is shaping up to be a fitting end to the promotion’s 2024 calendar, here is the list of the full fight card.

• Ian Machado Garry vs. Joaquin Buckley
• Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas
• Cub Swanson vs. Billy Quarantillo
• Tracy Cortez vs. Miranda Maverick
• Michael Johnson vs. Ottman Azaitar
• Joel Álvarez vs. Drakkar Klose
• Vitor Petrino vs. Dustin Jacoby
• Manel Kape vs. Bruno Gustavo da Silva
• Navajo Stirling vs. Tuco Tokkos
• Josefine Lindgren Knutsson vs. Piera Rodriguez
• Davey Grant vs. Ramon Taveras
• Sean Woodson vs. Fernando Padilla
• Daniel Marcos vs. Adrian Yañez

As the MMA world counts down to this welterweight clash, one thing is certain, the Amalie Arena will be electric when Machado Garry and Buckley step into the Octagon to close out the UFC’s year in style.