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
Round 4
Into the championship rounds.
Good left hand from Covington! He’s definitely improving. “Colby” chants. He’s still grinning.
Fierce body kick from Usman. Stiff jab by Covington. He then lands an uppercut and a hook!
A great spell for the challenger here!
UFC 268 – Usman vs Covington
Round 3
The crowd boo a lull in the action, but the fighters then trade combinations!
Big body hook by Usman. Covington grins.
The challenger lands a series of punches, then grabs a body lock on Usman! He drags the champion along the fence and halfway down!
A huge moment for Covington late in the round! He might have stolen it!
UFC 268 – Usman vs Covington
Round 3
Covington sees a head kick blocked, then another.
Good left hook from Covington now! Usman shakes it off, though.
Usman blocks another head kick, but Covington finds a home for a straight punch.
Covington shoots for a takedown, but yet again it’s stuffed. Usman lies on his challenger and fires off body punches.
The pair stand.
UFC 268 – Usman vs Covington
Round 2
Good right hook by Covington, who’s grinning at Usman.
Covington shoots for a takedown against the fence, but Usman keeps his challenger at bay.
Eventually they separate and are back in the centre of the Octagon.
A left hook drops Covington! Then Usman drops him again with the same punch!
Covington shoots for a takedown late in the round – denied! Can he make it to the buzzer?! YES, but only after absorbing a lot of punches to the body!
Covington is on borrowed time.
UFC 268 – Usman vs Covington
Round 2
Usman blocks a high kick and lands a strong left hook – then another.
Low kick by Covington. He charges forward again with punches, purely so he can close distance and grab Usman.
He pushes the champion back to the fence but can’t keep Usman there.
The counter left hook is landing repeatedly for Usman.
UFC 268 – Usman vs Covington
We knew this already, but Usman clearly has the power and strength advantage. Covington’s cut appears to have come from a clash of heads.
UFC 268 – Usman vs Covington
Round 1
Covington lands some clean overhands then evades an uppercut, but he’s caught with a hook.
Covington is cut already, bleeding down his cheek.
Round 1 is in the books and likely goes to Usman.
UFC 268 – Usman vs Covington
Round 1
Usman still pressing forward. Covington steps forward with winging hooks off both sides. Neither lands.
Usman lands a punch against the fence, but Covington lands a counter, too.
Covington charges forward with punches, but he’s taken down immediately!!
The challenger jumps back to his feet. Usman catches a kick and strikes the body.
UFC 268 – Usman vs Covington
Round 1
No touch of gloves, unsurprisingly. We’re under way.
“Colby” chants. Usman in the centre, pressing forward. Covington cautious.
The challenger kicks high then punches to the body – both blocked.
Covington shoots for a single-leg takedown!!! Already more wrestling than in the first fight!
Usman stuffs it... The pair stand.
UFC 268 – Usman vs Covington
Bruce Buffer has taken care of the fighter introductions...
IT’S TIME!
Five rounds for the undisputed welterweight championship of the world!
Let’s go...
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