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 – Namajunas vs Zhang
“Hey, are you f*****g having fun?!” coach Trevor Wittman asks Namajunas.
Into the final round we go...
UFC 268 – Namajunas vs Zhang
Round 4
Namajunas turns well and ends up on top! “USA” chants.
She digs punches into Zhang’s body. Nice elbow by Zhang from the bottom, though!
The challenger is limiting Namajunas’ output as the clock ticks down.
Namajunas will take the round, and she either trails 3-1 heading into the final frame or is even at 2-2.
UFC 268 – Namajunas vs Zhang
Round 4
Into the championship rounds. The first three were all close, but all won by Zhang as Indy Sport sees it.
Namajunas clips Zhang with a good right hand!
Zhang catches a kick and takes down the champion! Namajunas bounces back to her feet well!
Namajunas is finding increasing success with her right hand.
A scramble sees Zhang take Namajunas’ back on the feet. She weighs down on the champion, and now she gets hooks in...
UFC 268 – Namajunas vs Zhang
Round 3
Namajunas clinches but can’t keep Zhang tied up.
She knocks Zhang off balance with a right hand! The challenger recovers well, however. That seemed to be a slip rather than a knockdown.
Namajunas is still holding the centre of the Octagon. She tags Zhang with a counter punch.
Zhang lands a heavy hook! She follows it with a beautiful takedown!
She’s trying to take the back late in the round... She ends up in mount, where she’ll end the round!
That was a very close round, but Zhang might have done enough to take it late on!
The challenger may already be 30-27 up...
UFC 268 – Namajunas vs Zhang
Round 3
Hard to tell whether Zhang’s corner were telling her “1-1” or “one more” – i.e. one more round is enough to win this.
The women trade leg kicks, one minute into Round 3. Uneventful until this point.
Zhang wings a right hook, but it’s way off. Leg kick for Namajunas, then a right overhand.
Solid leg kick from Zhang, then one to the body!
UFC 268 – Namajunas vs Zhang
Round 2
Left hand staggers Namajunas!! Zhang then catches a head kick and takes down the champion!
Namajunas is able to limit Zhang’s output, before getting to her feet.
Now Namajunas with a takedown against the fence!
It’s a bit too late in the round, though, and Zhang banks another.
UFC 268 – Namajunas vs Zhang
Round 2
Namajunas lands a leg kick then a straight punch in a flurry.
She flicks out a front kick to the head but misses.
HUGE right hand from Zhang! Namajunas eats it, then lands some good hooks!
Zhang misses with a head kick, steps in and gets caught with a counter punch!
Another leg kick by the challenger, and again the champion returns fire up top.
UFC 268 – Namajunas vs Zhang
Round 1
Another leg kick from Zhang, inside.
The challenger strangely falls over backward at the end of the round! Maybe a slip? Maybe an overreaction to a Namajunas movement?
Either way, Zhang takes Round 1.
UFC 268 – Namajunas vs Zhang
Round 1
Zhang with a huge punch from above! She tries for a couple more but can’t quite find the accuracy.
Great work from Namajunas to spring back to her feet!
Zhang lands a body kick off the break as the pair separate.
“USA” chants in MSG.
Straight punch and head kick by Zhang, but the latter doesn’t land clean.
UFC 268 – Namajunas vs Zhang
Round 1
Low kick by Zhang. Again, but it’s checked. Another lands.
Namajunas is pressing forward anyway, and she lands a good combination up top!
She blocks a head kick attempt.
Again Zhang lands a low kick, but Namajunas returns fire with another combination of punches to the head.
Zhang with a good takedown, though!
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