“Outrun him and beat him”…Gilbert Burns shares early predictions for UFC Tampa: Covington vs. Buckley

UFC 310 may still be in our immediate rearview mirror, but MMA fans around the world are already looking forward to next week’s event, aka the final card of the year in Tampa , in Florida.

The final UFC event of 2024 will feature two outspoken welterweights in the main event, with promotional veteran and former title challenger Gilbert Burns now sharing his thoughts on the matchup.

Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Gilbert Burns Shares His Thoughts on UFC Tampa: Covington vs. Buckley Main Event

UFC Tampa’s two headlining welterweights, former interim champion Colby “Chaos” Covington and rising contender Joaquin “New Mansa” Buckley, couldn’t be further apart. ‘other in terms of form.

On the one hand, Buckley is riding a five-fight winning streak, including three big wins already this year, while Covington is 2-2 in his last four fights and hasn’t competed in exactly 12 months.

Gilbert ‘Durinho’ Burns is someone who knows both fighters and their skills quite well, with the popular Brazilian speaking to Submission Radio about the upcoming showdown in his home state.

“I think Buckley is in the best momentum right now, but (in wrestling) he’s Buckley’s kryptonite – one of my favorite teammates is Bellator interim champion Logan Storley, he fought Buckley and Logan just beat him.

“He just knocked him down, knocked him to the ground, knocked him down again, beat him to the ground and pound – and that’s something Colby can really do.”

Burns is in regular contact with coaches at MMA Masters, Covington’s gym, and according to the Brazilian, very few athletes can match Chaos’ work ethic.

“Colby is always training, I know those guys from MMA Masters, they say he’s always in the gym, always training and always in shape… I think Colby could give Buckley a lot of trouble, keep it up take down with this crazy rhythm.

“Buckley is a big guy with a lot of muscle, if Buckley can’t put Colby out of there in the first or second round, I think Colby will overwhelm him and beat him – Colby can get a dominant decision win, or Buckley gets a quick knockout in the first.

As of this writing, Buckley is the moderate favorite with 75% of the Tapology community’s picks favoring “New Mansa.”

While Burns indicated he would support Buckley on Dec. 14, he ultimately predicted that — if his coaches tell the truth — Covington can “100 percent” get the win.

UFC Tampa: Covington vs. Buckley closes 2024 for promotion

UFC Tampa represents the final event of 2024 for the world leader in MMA, with a total of 13 fights planned to close out the year in style.

Barring last minute changes or fight cancellations, the Florida farewell will include the following fights.

Colby Covington vs. Joaquin Buckley
Cub Swanson vs. Billy Quarantillo
Manel Kape vs. Bruno Silva
Dustin Jacoby vs. Vitor Petrino
Daniel Marcos vs. Adrian Yanez
Navajo Stirling vs. Tuco Tukkos
Michael Johnson vs. Ottman Azaitar
Drakkar Klose vs. Joel Alvarez
Sean Woodson vs. Fernando Padilla
Miles Johns vs. Felipe Lima
Miranda Maverick vs. Jamey Lyn-Horth
Davey Grant vs. Ramon Taveras
Piera Rodriguez vs Joséfine Knutsson

UFC Tampa: Covington vs. Buckley takes place on Saturday, December 14 starting at 7 p.m. ET.