UFC 268: Usman vs Covington 2 Results

UFC 268: Usman vs Covington 2 Main Card

Main Event: Kamaru Usman vs Colby Covington

Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington are tailor-made to engage in close, competitive battles with one another, following their instant classic at UFC 245 with an equally impressive sequel on Saturday night, with the bitter rivals going the distance in their championship rematch to close out UFC 268.

Co-Main Event: Rose Namajunas vs Zhang Weili

Rose Namajunas cemented her standing as the top strawweight in the world, earning a split decision victory over Zhang Weili in Saturday’s co-main event to successfully defend her title.

The stellar combatants battled through a fight that was at times technical, at times tactical, and at times a little hectic, with each woman having moments where they were in clear control. Zhang attacked the lead leg with heavy leg kicks and showed improved wrestling in the first and third, while Namajunas did a good job of maintaining distance and controlling the grappling exchanges in the championship rounds.

Frankie Edgar vs Marlon Vera

Marlon Vera announced himself as a Top 10 talent in the bantamweight division on Saturday night, flooring Frankie Edgar with a front kick to the chin late in the third round to secure the biggest win of his career.

Edgar controlled the first, spilling Vera to the canvas and keeping him there for the duration of the round, attacking with elbows from top position while weathering a couple heavy upkicks for his troubles. Vera started clawing back in the second, pressing forward and putting pressure on Edgar, the power difference between the two evident, and in the third, the promising Ecuadorian landed the finishing blow.

Shane Burgos vs Billy Quarantillo

Tasked with following Gaethje and Chandler into the Octagon, featherweights Shane Burgos and Billy Quarantillo did their absolute best, going toe-to-toe in a phone booth for 15 minutes, setting a new record for the most significant strikes landed in a three-round featherweight fight.

No quarter was asked, and none was given, as the New York State natives left it all in the Octagon, leaving it to the judges to decide.

Justin Gaethje vs Michael Chandler

Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler are built differently.

The lightweight contenders opened Saturday’s main card with one of the most hellacious opening rounds in UFC history, each man swinging hammers from start to finish, trading massive blows that left each man bruised, battered, and smiling like psychopaths after five minutes.

UFC 268: Usman vs Covington 2 Prelims

Alex Pereira vs Andreas Michailidis

Alex Pereira closed out the prelims in spectacular fashion, flying through the air and flattening Andreas Michailidis with a jumping knee seconds into the second round to earn a highlight-reel finish in his promotional debut.

Al Iaquinta vs Bobby Green

Bobby Green used the opportunity to compete in one of the most famous arenas in the world to turn in the best performance of his UFC career, registering a first-round stoppage win over Al Iaquinta on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.

From the outset, the veteran from California looked sharp and smooth, picking at the local favorite with clean punches as Iaquinta came forward. As the Long Island native looked to close in, Green stepped back and connected flush with a clean two-punch combo that put Iaquinta on the deck, sealing the deal with a series of unanswered blows on the canvas to collect the biggest win of his career.

Phil Hawes vs Chris Curtis

It took Chris Curtis 34 fights and a couple brief sabbaticals before reaching the UFC, but “Action Man” made the most if his debut opportunity, scoring a first-round stoppage victory over Phil Hawes, felling “Megatron” late in the opening frame to register one of the biggest upsets of the year.

Hawes was in complete control throughout the majority of the round, picking at Curtis from range with front kicks and precision strikes, threatening takedowns and looking like he was well on his way to another victory. But late in the first, Curtis connected with a counter left hand that instantly put Hawes on rubber legs. A knee to the body in the clinch sent Hawes tumbling to the canvas and gave Curtis his long-awaited, well-earned first UFC win.

Edmen Shahbazyan vs Nassourdine Imavov

In a battle of aspiring, young middleweights, Nassourdine Imavov delivered a standout performance, battering 11th-ranked Edmen Shahbazyan, finishing him late in the second round with elbows from the mounted crucifix position.

The 26-year-old, who trains out of the MMA Factory in Paris alongside interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane, showcased his full complement of skills, displaying sound takedown defence, crisp striking, and tremendous poise, working his way through multiple phases before transitioning to top position and unloading on Shahbazyan.

UFC 268: Usman vs Covington 2 Early Prelims

Ian Garry vs Jordan Williams

“The Future” has arrived!

It took Ian Garry nearly an entire round to get comfortable and find his timing, but late in the opening frame, the unbeaten Irish prospect stepped off and planted a straight right hand on the jaw of Jordan Williams, connecting with two quick follow-ups to secure the first-round stoppage win.

The former Cage Warriors champion took a few good shots early, but when he pulled the trigger, the Irishman delivered with a blistering right hand that set off the MSG audience.

Gian Villante vs Chris Barnett

Chris Barnett blew the roof off of Madison Square Garden on Saturday night, putting Gian Villante on the deck with a spinning wheel kick to the head, swarming the New Yorker with unanswered strikes to earn the finish midway through the second round.

The duo traded kicks at range throughout the opening five minutes and seemed poised to do the same early in the second, until Barnett pivoted, spun, and connected, capping the performance with a celebratory flip. Given the chance to speak with Joe Rogan following the victory, Barnett called on the MSG audience to give it up for the retiring Villante before breaking out a celebratory dance before exiting the Octagon.

Dustin Jacoby vs John Allan

This was a straight kickboxing match from start to finish, with each man happy to stand in the pocket and throw strikes, with the more technical, more experienced Jacoby coming away with the unanimous decision victory.

Since returning to the Octagon following a successful appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series last summer, Jacoby has gone unbeaten in five fights, earning his second straight win after opening the year with a split draw against Ion Cutelaba. With the win, “The Hanyak” moves to 16-5-1 overall, while Allan suffers his second straight loss, falling to 13-7 overall.

Melsik Baghdasaryan vs Bruno Souza

It was kickboxing versus karate, “The Gun” versus “Tiger” in this featherweight affair, with each man opening with kicks from range, trying to get a read on their opponent, find their distance, and get their timing down through the opening 90 seconds.

Baghdasaryan tried to press forward and close the distance, but Souza continually circled out laterally, avoiding getting stuck on the fence. Baghdasaryan continued attacking the lead leg, causing redness on the thigh of Souza, who opted to change levels and search for a takedown, staying tough in the clinch when Baghdasaryan was able to stay upright.

Back in space with a minute remaining in the round, Baghdasaryan got back on his pressure game, offering a spinning back kick that was blocked and staying after Souza through the end of the opening stanza.

Souza stuck Baghdasaryan with a right hand to begin the second, but then it was right back to the same tactics as the first, with “The Gun” working forward, pressuring the Brazilian newcomer. The big Octagon and the lack of experience gave Baghdasaryan trouble cutting off the cage and keeping Souza hemmed in, resulting in jeers from the MSG crowd, who hoped to see a little more action.

Baghdasaryan continued investing in kicks to the lead leg, buckling Souza a little just passed the midway point of the round, with Souza showing a little more activity, but continuing to be on the receiving end of the best connections in the frame. Souza started getting after it in the final minute of the round, only for Baghdasaryan to respond with a good combination in tight, backing Souza off and sending this one to a third round.

CJ Vergara vs Ode' Osbourne

The flyweights got right into the pocket to start this one, feinting and feeling each other out in tight, with Osbourne leading the dance early, showing incredible speed with his hands and overall movement. Vergara tried to press forward and found a home for his check left hook a couple of times, settling in and doing a better job of reading Osbourne’s timing as the round progressed.

With roughly 90 seconds remaining in the round, Osbourne changed levels and snatched up a single leg, but Vergara did a very good job of maintaining his balance, getting to the fence, and avoiding the takedown. That defence seemed to spur Vergara on, as he closed out the round pressing forward, throwing his hands a little more and mixing in a high kick through to the horn.

Vergara remained more active to start the second, doing a better job of using range-finders and defending another level change, only to get stuck with a couple sharp counters by Osbourne. Each time Vergara fired and missed, Osbourne made him pay, connecting with shorter, tighter punches causing Vergara to bleed from his nose, which seemed to both the UFC newcomer.