Buckley (20-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) meets former interim welterweight champion Covington (17-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) in the UFC on ESPN 63 headliner on Dec. 14 from Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla.

Colby Covington is set to make his highly anticipated return to the octagon. He’ll face rising star Joaquin Buckley in the main event of UFC Tampa on Dec. 14 at the Amalie Arena.

UFC analyst says that Colby Covington was likely persuaded to step in and face Joaquin Buckley at UFC Tampa rather than calling for it

Colby Covington will make a surprising short-notice return to the octagon after one year away when he steps into the UFC on ESPN 63 headliner with Joaquin Buckley, who is unbeaten since dropping to welterweight.