UFC Doctor Predicts Covington Will ‘Lose Eyelid’ Before Fight Stoppage
UFC Doctor’s Grim Prediction Ends Covington-Buckley Fight in Shocking Fashion
Tampa, FL – The final main event of the year at UFC Tampa ended in controversy after a cageside doctor made a chilling prediction that forced referee Dan Miragliotta to halt the welterweight clash between Colby Covington and Joaquin Buckley.
Buckley was dominating the fight, dropping Covington in the second round and opening up a gruesome cut just above his right eye. As the third round neared its end, Miragliotta called a timeout to allow the UFC doctor to examine the damage.
What followed was a shocking exchange caught on camera. The doctor, after a brief look at Covington’s injury, shook her head and addressed Miragliotta with a grave warning: “He’s gonna lose his eyelid.”
“It’s hanging down,” she continued, pointing to the severity of the cut.”You see how it’s cut open?”
Miragliotta, visibly concerned, immediately waved off the fight, awarding Buckley a TKO victory and sending shockwaves through the Amalie Arena.
Covington, visibly frustrated, protested the stoppage. The crowd, initially stunned into silence, erupted in a mix of boos and cheers. Buckley,while clearly pleased with the win,seemed subdued by the anticlimactic finish.
UFC President Dana White later expressed his disagreement with the doctor’s decision,stating that he believed Covington could have continued fighting.
The controversial ending cast a shadow over what was shaping up to be a thrilling fight. Buckley, with his impressive performance, solidified his place as a rising star in the welterweight division. However, the debate surrounding the stoppage will likely continue, leaving fans to wonder what might have been.
Colby Covington reacts after a TKO loss against Joaquin Buckley in a welterweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Amalie Arena on Decembe…” class=”wp-image-161844″ srcset=”https://bloodyelbow.com/wp-content/uploads/1/2024/12/GettyImages-2190013717-1024×683.jpg 1024w, https://bloodyelbow.com/wp-content/uploads/1/2024/12/GettyImages-2190013717-300×200.jpg 300w, https://bloodyelbow.com/wp-content/uploads/1/2024/12/GettyImages-2190013717-768×512.jpg 768w, https://bloodyelbow.com/wp-content/uploads/1/2024/12/GettyImages-2190013717-1536×1024.jpg 1536w, https://bloodyelbow.com/wp-content/uploads/1/2024/12/GettyImages-2190013717-1140×760.jpg 1140w, https://bloodyelbow.com/wp-content/uploads/1/2024/12/GettyImages-2190013717-750×500.jpg 750w”/>White Believes Covington-Buckley Should Have Continued Despite Gruesome Cut
UFC President Dana White believes the doctor’s decision to stop the Colby Covington vs. Joaquin Buckley fight was premature, arguing that the bout woudl have continued in Las Vegas.
While acknowledging the severity of Covington’s cut, White expressed confidence in the fighter’s toughness and resilience, stating, “There’s no doubt that it was a bad cut, but that fight doesn’t get stopped in Vegas – that fight keeps going in Vegas, 100 percent.”
Speaking at the post-fight press conference, White praised Covington’s durability, saying, “Love him or hate him, the guy’s a dog, f**** tough as nails, took big shots to the body, big shots to the head that would have knocked a lot of people out… Colby’s durable and tough, but when you get cut, anything can happen.”
the UFC boss highlighted Covington’s determination to continue despite the injury, noting, “It was definitely bothering him, and literally as soon as the corner would fix it, he’s waiting to walk back out and he rips it open again, makes it start bleeding again. That alone tells you that the cut was bothering him big time.”
White’s comments sparked debate among fans and analysts, with some agreeing that Covington’s grit warranted allowing the fight to proceed, while others emphasized the importance of fighter safety.
The controversial stoppage adds another layer to the already heated rivalry between Covington and Buckley, leaving fans to wonder what might have happened had the fight continued.
“it Was The Doctor’s Call, Not Mine”: Referee Explains Controversial Stoppage in Covington-Buckley Fight
Tampa, FL: The UFC Tampa main event ended in controversial fashion, leaving many fans and fighters scratching their heads. After a dominant performance by Joaquin Buckley, colby Covington was ultimately unable to continue the fight due to a gruesome cut above his eye.
Reports surfaced that the stoppage was made due to a grim prediction from the cageside doctor, leading to questions about whether the fight was stopped prematurely. Newsdicrectory3.com spoke with referee Dan Miragliotta, who officiated the bout, to shed light on the situation.
Newsdicrectory3.com: Dan, thank you for taking the time to speak with us.Many are questioning the stoppage in the Covington-Buckley fight. Can you walk us through what happened?
Miragliotta: Absolutely. Joaquin was clearly in control, landing some heavy shots and opening up a nasty cut above Colby’s right eye. towards the end of the third round, I brought in the doctor to take a look. It was a serious cut, and by that point, there was a lot of blood. The doctor examined it for a moment, and based on her assessment, she expressed concern about the potential for further injury, even permanent damage.
Newsdicrectory3.com: So basically, it came down to her judgment call?
Miragliotta: Exactly. As the referee, I have to prioritize fighter safety above all else. The doctor’s expertise is invaluable in these situations.she felt the cut was too severe and risked worsening significantly, so I had to heed her advice and stop the fight.
Newsdicrectory3.com: This has sparked debate about whether the fight should have been allowed to continue. What are your thoughts on that?
Miragliotta: I understand the frustration. Fights are incredibly competitive, and nobody wants to see a stoppage without a clear knockout or submission. Though, this wasn’t just about the cut itself. The doctor feared potential long-term consequences if Colby continued. My job is to protect the fighters, and ultimately, their health comes first.
Newsdicrectory3.com: Thank you for your time and insights,Dan.
the saga surrounding the Covington-Buckley fight raises complex questions about fighter safety and the role of the cageside doctor in making critical decisions during a bout. It remains a subject of heated debate within the MMA community.