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 – Edgar vs Vera
Round 1
Vera looks much taller here. Edgar shoots for a takedown but is denied.
Low kick from Vera; Edgar goes high with a combination. He follows it with a right straight.
Now Edgar kicks low. He secures a takedown this time but lands in a guillotine attempt from Vera.
Edgar pops his head out and begins to throw strikes from above. Nice elbows.
UFC 268 – Edgar vs Vera
Former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar is in action next!
The 40-year-old previously dropped down to featherweight, before dropping down again to bantamweight.
The New Jersey native is 1-1 in the division, having won a split decision against Pedro Munhoz last year, before suffering a flying knee knockout defeat by Cory Sandhagen earlier this year – just 28 seconds into Round 1.
Edgar is up against Ecuadorian Marlon Vera here.
UFC 268 – Burgos def. Quarantillo
Shane Burgos def. Billy Quarantillo via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
A close contest that could have gone either way.
UFC 268 – Burgos vs Quarantillo
Round 3
Quarantillo has done so well to make this competitive despite his leg issue. In fact, he might even steal this round!
It’s a close one, and likely decisive for this fight...
We’ll go to the judges’ scorecards.
A great contest.
UFC 268 – Burgos vs Quarantillo
Round 3
Quarantillo’s left leg seems messed up. Burgos hasn’t thrown tons of low kicks, but he has landed some and executed some clever trips, too.
Quarantillo can barely stand! He knows he can’t trade with Burgos, so he pushes his opponent to the fence and tries to drag him to the mat.
Burgos escapes and brings the action back to the centre of the Octagon – but only briefly!
UFC 268 – Burgos vs Quarantillo
Round 2
Huge shots landing for both men!
Burgos has the greater power and has Quarantillo staggering and swinging wildly!
The crowd finally come to life!
Burgos might have stolen that round late on.
UFC 268 – Burgos vs Quarantillo
Round 2
The pair trade wide hooks. Burgos kicks low, inside.
Quarantillo gets ahold of his opponent again, but Burgos reverses the position against the fence.
The pair separate, and Burgos doesn’t quite fully extend on a head kick – it comes up slightly short.
Lots of punches being exchanged now! Very competitive. The significant strikes landed are almost even.
UFC 268 – Burgos vs Quarantillo
Round 1
Burgos starts to land some fairly heavy hooks, leading Quarantillo to shoot for a single-leg takedown. Burgos defends it and breaks away.
Back to the centre of the Octagon, and Burgos hurts Quarantillo with an uppercut!
Quarantillo does well to stay composed, and he ends the round in control against the fence.
UFC 268 – Burgos vs Quarantillo
Round 1
Quarantillo mixing it up nicely with punches and kicks to the body and head.
Burgos grabs his opponent and drives him to the fence. The crowd seem drained from that last fight...
Burgos with stamps to the feet of Quarantillo, who responds with knees to the body as the pair separate.
Terrific accuracy from Billy Q so far. He’s busted up Burgos’ nose somewhat with jabs.
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