The upcoming UFC event in Tampa is generating excitement at the USF boxing club – The Oracle

Sophomore David O’Grady developed his passion for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) due to his involvement in martial arts.

Now he has the opportunity to attend an event in Tampa.

The Dec. 14 UFC event will take place about 10 miles from the USF Tampa campus at Amalie Arena.

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The UFC is the leading mixed martial arts league in the world, hosting more than 40 events in different countries every year.

The event is the UFC’s first in Tampa since 2019 and is headlined by a welterweight (170-pound) bout between sixth-ranked Colby Covington and ninth-ranked Joaquin Buckley.

O’Grady, a member of the USF boxing club, said he was excited to take part in the event.

“I’m very excited about every fight,” O’Grady said. “The setup is going to be crazy.”

Covington has earned a reputation for his derogatory comments about his opponents throughout his UFC career. He infamously called out the entire Brazilian nation ‘a garbage dump’ after winning a fight against Brazilian fighter Demian Maia in the country in 2017.

Despite the trash talk, Covington has a tough challenge in Buckley throughout the Octagon.

Buckley rose through the ranks in the UFC and is best known for his career Highlight Reel Knockout by Impa Kasanganay.

O’Grady said that with martial arts experience it is easier to appreciate such moments.

“Understanding the technology and breaking it down is a privilege,” O’Grady said.

The boxing club embodies the “transformative power” of boxing through “comprehensive training” for all members, it says Mission statement.

O’Grady said he felt this change in his daily life.

“(Martial arts) made me a lot more disciplined,” O’Grady said. “I feel more confident.”

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Despite the high profile of the main event, there are entertaining fights scattered throughout the card.

Two of the top ten fighters in the women’s strawweight (125 lbs) division will face off in the co-main event, with tenth-ranked Amanda Ribas taking on sixth-ranked Mackenzie Dern.

The couple’s paths crossed UFC Fight Night 161 in Tampa in 2019, when Ribas defeated Dern by a three-round decision.

Yeran Gamage, president of the USF boxing club, said martial arts events create engagement for the club.

“Because of the hype, there has been increased excitement among members and recruits,” Gamage said. “After Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson, we saw an 80% increase in attendance.”

Gamage said he believes an event so close to campus could give the boxing club more visibility.

“It increases interest in martial arts,” Gamage said. “That benefits the club.”

The club enjoyed record attendance numbers throughout the year and was therefore reliant on members reserving their training slots in advance.

It has over 800 registered members on BullsConnect. Since there are only 60 places available per exercise, it can be tight.

For one of the fighters there is an event at the Amalie Arena in Tampa.

Billy Quarantillo, who trains at Gracie Pac MMA in Tampa, is scheduled for a featherweight (145-pound) bout against UFC veteran Cub Swanson.

Swanson also fought at UFC Fight Night 161 in Tampa, where he defeated Kron Gracie by a three-round decision.

O’Grady has been patiently waiting for the UFC to return to Tampa.

“It’s a great opportunity,” O’Grady said. “It’s like a dream come true.”

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the date for UFC Fight Night. The event will take place on December 14th.