Hulk Hogan failed to inspire Colby Covington to victory at UFC Tampa on Saturday night.

Covington was making his octagon return coming off a UFC title defeat to Leon Edwards last December.

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Covington was beaten up badly at UFC TampaCredit: Getty

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Joaquin Buckley caught him with several brutal blowsCredit: Getty

He has been chipping away in an attempt to secure undisputed goal in Dana White‘s promotion for years, but the chase may now be over.

‘Chaos’ offered little in terms of attacking prowess against Edwards in his last bout, and it was largely the same picture against Joaquin Buckley on Saturday night.

Buckley dominated Covington, leaving his eye busted open, before the UFC Tampa doctor called a stop to the fight in round three.

“I know you wanted to see a knockout,” Buckley, who is now on a six fight UFC win streak, said to Michael Bisping in his post-fight octagon interview.

“My bad. I should’ve hurried up in the first round and got that for you all.

“I have to thank God for putting me here and really blessing me to chase my dreams.

“Not only chasing my dreams but giving me the confidence to chase them, because now I can provide for my family, take care of my grandmother [and] give my kids a life I never had. It’s a beautiful situation.”

Buckley proceed to confirm his sights are set on former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman for his next fight, with Edwards and current champ Belal Muhammad also on the list.

Usman hasn’t fought in the UFC since his defeat to Khamzat Chimaev in October 2023.

For the prior No.6 ranked welterweight Covington, the bout marked a fourth UFC loss in his last six fights.

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Buckley has now won six UFC fights in a rowCredit: Getty

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After the doctor deemed Covington’s injury too bad to continueCredit: Getty

The 36-year-old is now left in a tricky position, where he may need to take an uncomfortable fight with a much lower ranked opponent if he wishes to continue his attempt at a UFC title.

Covington embodied his All-American persona, like he usually does, as he made his way to the octagon alongside to fellow American stars with Real American blasting in Tampa’s Amalie Arena.

Wrestling legend Hogan trailed the former UFC welterweight title challenger, waving the American flag high and proud, with UFC Hall of Famer Chael Sonnen in his flank too.

“I came to tell you when you’re the greatest fighter in the world today, they got a name for you,” Sonnen said, in regards to Covington before the fight.

“They don’t call you a great fighter, they call you ‘Chaos’ Covington.”

But now with Buckley ranked the No.9 welterweight before the fight, Covington may now struggle to find himself in a top 10 position in his division.

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Hulk Hogan walked Covington out with Chael SonnenCredit: Getty

COLBY’S EPIC ENTRANCE WITH HULK HOGAN AND CHAEL SONNEN! 🇺🇸💪#UFCTampa | LIVE on TNT Sports & discovery+ pic.twitter.com/ktuqu8BXDa

— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) December 15, 2024\n\n\n”,”width”:550,”height”:550,”provider”:”twitter”,”attribs”:{“data-tweetid”:”1868174308419256574″}} data-provider=twitter data-widget-name=embed data-widget-id=embed-4bd94916>

MMA fans were quick to react to Covington’s defeat in typical style.

One took to X and said: “Colby Covington doing his big entrance that played to crickets and then going out against a mid-level guy in the main event of a random TV card is the perfect end to his silly career.”

While another added: “Domination tonight from Joaquin Buckley. Colby looks completely washed.”

And a third commented: “Colby should retire. “He doesn’t look like he has it anymore.”

UFC President White reacted to the bout, saying he would’ve been curious to see the fight go the full five rounds and that it ‘100 per cent’ should have continued.

Although he then added that Covington wouldn’t have been too bothered by the stoppage as his cut was ‘definitely bothering him’.