UFC’s final event of 2024 has its headliner. The promotion announced Friday that UFC Tampa’s main event will feature welterweight contenders Ian Machado Garry (15-0) and Joaquin Buckley (20-6) in a five-round showdown on December 14 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.
UFC Tampa is the first UFC main event for either Garry or Buckley.
For Ireland’s “Future,” Garry aims to keep his momentum rolling into title contention by extending his streak inside the octagon to nine. Garry, 26, picked up his biggest career wins over his past three fights when he earned decision nods over Michael “Venom” Page, Geoff Neal, and Neil Magny.
Buckley, 30, has found his rhythm since he dropped to welterweight from middleweight in May 2023. “New Mansa” rides a five-fight winning streak with three ending by knockout. Buckey most recently picked up his breakout win at UFC 307 in early October, knocking out two-time UFC title challenger Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson. Buckley is currently the No. 9-ranked contender in the UFC’s official welterweight rankings and would presumably leapfrog No. 7 Garry with a win.
The full UFC Tampa fight card as it currently stands can be seen below.
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Ian Machado Garry vs. Joaquin Buckley
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Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas
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Cub Swanson vs. Billy Quarantillo
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Tracy Cortez vs. Miranda Maverick
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Michael Johnson vs. Ottman Azaitar
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Joel Álvarez vs. Drakkar Klose
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Vitor Petrino vs. Dustin Jacoby
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Manel Kape vs. Bruno Gustavo da Silva
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Navajo Stirling vs. Tuco Tokkos
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Josefine Lindgren Knutsson vs. Piera Rodriguez
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Davey Grant vs. Ramon Taveras
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Sean Woodson vs. Fernando Padilla
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Daniel Marcos vs. Adrian Yañez
