UFC 268 LIVE: Kamaru Usman vs Colby Covington result plus Rose Namajunas and Justin Gaethje reaction tonight
Follow all the fallout from Madison Square Garden
Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington again contested a classic for the UFC welterweight title on Saturday night, with Usman outpointing his rival to retain the belt against him for a second time.
Two years after Usman stopped Covington in the fifth round of one of the most competitive title fights in UFC history, the Nigerian-American again put the gold on the line against the Floridian this weekend. And in the main event of UFC 268, in a sold-out Madison Square Garden in New York City, Usman again overcome Covington in a thrilling encounter. The fight went to the judges’ scorecards and, although a draw was conceivable – even a narrow Covington victory – Usman was declared the winner via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46).
In the evening’s co-main event, strawweight Rose Namajunas also retained her title on points, beating Weili Zhang 48-47, 47-48, 49-46 for a split-decision victory. Earlier this year, Namajunas became a two-time strawweight champion by stopping Zhang via first-round head kick, but the Chinese star gave a much better account of herself in New York City, arguably unfortunate not to get the nod on the judges’ scorecards.
Earlier in the night, Justin Gaethje outpointed Michael Chandler, with the main-card opener somehow over-delivering. Gaethje’s meeting with fellow lightweight contender Chandler was expected by many fans to play out as fight of the night, yet somehow the contest was even more competitive and brutal than anticipated. A fine start by Chandler gave way to a second round in which the former Bellator champion was dropped by Gaethje, though Chandler would survive and go on to hurt his fellow American numerous times in a valiant losing effort.
Re-live updates from the UFC 268 prelims and main card, below.
UFC 268 – Curtis def. Hawes
Chris Curtis def. Phil Hawes via first-round KO (strikes, 4:27).
UFC 268 – Hawes vs Curtis
Round 1
Curtis lands a nice hook to the body, then a kick. He staggers Hawes with a counter left hook to the head!
Hawes stumbles and eventually collapses! The referee steps in!
Against the run of the fight, Curtis secures the knockout!
UFC 268 – Hawes vs Curtis
Round 1
Slick one-two from Hawes at once. He looks very tidy in all of his movements, even the smallest ones. He fires off a straight right and two front kicks to the body. Another.
He’s pressuring Curtis greatly. More body kicks. Southpaw Curtis returns fire with a left straight, but he’s stunned by another one-two!
Curtis catches a body kick attempt, then dodges a jab. He just misses an uppercut as Hawes enters.
Hawes tries for some side kicks to the knee. He threatens some takedowns, too – just to keep Curtis guessing, it seems.
Some nice knees up the middle from Hawes.
UFC 268 – Hawes vs Curtis
Curtis’ pro record is 26-8. Hawes’ is 11-2. We’re under way.
UFC 268 – Hawes vs Curtis
In his 35th pro fight, Curtis is finally making his UFC debut – having featured on the company’s Contender Series TV show three years ago.
He faces a tough task here, though, as he takes on fellow Contender Series alumnus Hawes, who is 3-0 in the UFC.
UFC 268 – Hawes vs Curtis
Next up on the prelims is Phillip Hawes vs Chris Curtis in a middleweight contest.
UFC 268 – Imavov def. Shahbazyan
Nassourdine Imavov def. Edmen Shahbazyan via second-round TKO (4:42, elbows).
UFC 268 – Shahbazyan vs Imavov
Round 2
On the canvas, Shahbazyan tries for a guillotine but he doesn’t have his hands connected...
Imavov is able to escape and is now in his opponent’s guard, raining down heavy strikes.
Shahbazyan is bleeding badly! Imavov moves into a crucifix mount and is elbowing Shahbazyan, who has no way of defending himself!
He tries to buck his hips to get Imavov off him – ‘bridging’ – but he can’t! And the referee steps in to halt the onslaught of elbows!
Imavov gets it done!
UFC 268 – Shahbazyan vs Imavov
Round 2
The cut on Imavov’s face actually came from an accidental eye poke – nasty...
The Russian-born Frenchman has Shahbazyan up against the fence, but Shahbazyan reverses the position.
Another choke attempt by Imavov, it looks like a standing D’Arce... Again Shahbazyan escapes!
Shahbazyan goes for another takedown, but once again he’s caught in a D’Arce! It’s a naive move from the youngster.
Somehow, he gets out yet again, wow...
UFC 268 – Shahbazyan vs Imavov
Round 1
Shahbazyan with a heavy outside low kick early on. Then another from the 23-year-old, who is light on his feet here.
Imavov swings a wide hook, but his opponent counters with two quick jabs.
Imavov, a rarity as a Dagestani who prefers to strike rather than wrestle, lands an overhand right.
The pair grapple against the fence now, to the dismay of the MSG crowd... Shahbazyan has the advantage, and appears to have cut Imavov in the melee.
Shahbazyan surprisingly lands a takedown, but is forced to escape a decent guillotine attempt!
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