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 – Usman vs Covington
Usman is 19-1 and has won 18 fights in a row.
Covington is 16-2, having won seven straight contests between his first defeat and his loss to Usman.
Former interim champion Covington is out first, to former WWE superstar Kurt Angle’s “You Suck” theme. Some in Madison Square Garden join in with the chant, but they seem to be behind the American really!
Now Nigerian-American Usman walks out to boos.
UFC 268 – Usman vs Covington
Since their first meeting, Usman has fought and won three times, and Covington has competed once – also winning.
Usman outpointed Jorge Masvidal on ‘Fight Island’ last summer before stopping him in the second round with a vicious right hand this spring, those victories coming either side of a third-round finish against close friend and former teammate Gilbert Burns.
Meanwhile, it’s been 14 months since Covington dominated former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley, with ‘T-Wood’ eventually succumbing to a rib injury in the fifth round.
Which will pay off here: Usman’s activity, or Covington’s dedication to training specifically for this rematch?
UFC 268 – Usman vs Covington
It’s main event time.
The evening’s final bout sees fierce rivals Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington battle for the welterweight title for a second time, following their all-time great contest two years ago.
In December 2019, champion Usman finished Covington in the fifth round after the two elite wrestlers put their usual gameplans aside to trade non-stop punches and kicks for the best part of 25 minutes.
Will we see another classic here? Will Usman get an earlier stoppage?
We’re about to find out.
UFC 268 – Namajunas def. Zhang
Zhang is very gracious in defeat here. She arguably won that fight, but she’s not bitter at all.
UFC 268 – Namajunas def. Zhang
Rose Namajunas (C) def. Weili Zhang via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 49-46).
AND STILL!
Not how Indy Sport saw it, but certainly not a robbery by the champ!
UFC 268 – Namajunas vs Zhang
Round 5
Namajunas ends the fight on top!
There’s no doubt the champion took Rounds 4 and 5, but the first three were close...
Indy Sport gave them all to Zhang, meaning a 48-47 scorecard in favour of the challenger.
Will the judges see it the same way? Will Zhang regain the title? We’ll find out any moment now...
UFC 268 – Namajunas vs Zhang
Round 5
Zhang is again doing fairly well to limit any damage from Namajunas.
More “USA” chants.
The champion is still in control here, it’s just a question of whether she’s doing enough to win a close decision – or whether Zhang’s early slickness will prove to be enough.
UFC 268 – Namajunas vs Zhang
Round 5
A brief pause early in the round, with Namajunas having started without her mouthguard.
Clean inside leg kick from Zhang. The challenger ducks under a hook and grabs Namajunas, but can’t do anything with the champion.
Huge takedown from Namajunas! How important could this be?
Good punches from Namajunas from above!
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