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UFC 268 Highlights: Both Usman And Namajunas Retain Via Decision

MMA UFC Rose Namajunas
Ewan Ross Nov 7, 2021 1:46AM

UFC 268 featured thrilling action from top to bottom, starting with a knockout of the year contender on the prelims, a fight of the year contender kicking off the main card, and concluded with both the current champions retaining their belts. Check out those and all the rest of the highlights after the jump.

Kamaru Usman def. Colby Covington via Unanimous Decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)

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In a competitive, but slower-paced fight than their first encounter, Kamaru Usman turned away his rival Colby Covington over five rounds. Usman came out looking very strong and in the second round nearly got the finish. However, Covington rallied back over the latter rounds, and made the fight very competitive, and had the fight hanging in the balance going into the fifth round.

Rose Namajunas def. Weili Zhang via Split Decision (49-46, 48-47, 47-48)

Rose Namajunas defended her strawweight championship over five rounds over Weili Zhang in a measured bout that featured lots of grappling. It wasn't exactly a barn-burner, but the fight was competitive the whole time, and hung in the balance going into the fifth round, which is all you can ask for.

Marlon Vera def. Frankie Edgar via KO (Front Kick) (Rd. 3 3:50)

After two and a half rounds of competitive back and forth fight, Marlon Vera shut off Frankie Edgar's lights with a wicked front kick right to the point of Edgar's chin. While he looked capable up to that point, this is the second consecutive brutal knockout of Edgar's career, and you'll hope he'll consider his options going forward.

Shane Burgos def. Billy Quarantillo via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

In a good fight that had no hope in hell of following what we just saw, Shane Burgos chopped Billy Quarantillo down with a brutal barrage of leg kicks. While Billy Q came out well in the first, once Burgos shifted to the leg kicks in the 2nd round it was largely the end for Billy Q.

Justin Gaethje def. Michael Chandler via Split Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

In an absolute barn-burner Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler went to war to kickoff the PPV portion of our card, and Gaethje emerged victorious. Chandler came out red hot, and had Gaethje looking like he was on the ropes, but he was able to rally and get his leg kick heavy game going. Just an incredible fight, that you should go out of your way to see all of.

Alex Pereira def. Andreas Michailidis via TKO (Flying Knee and Punches) (Rd. 2 0:18)

In a night full of impressive UFC debuts continues as kickboxing phenom, Alex Pereira debuted by knocking out Andreas Michailidis with a pin-point flying knee at the start of the second round. Michailidis had won the first round with grinding cage clinching, but as he shot in for another clinch, Pereira made him pay. Pereira adds another very exciting prospect in the light heavyweight division.

Bobby Green def. Al Iaquinta via TKO (Punches) (Rd. 1 2:25)

Bobby Green showed up looking absolutely spectacular, and delivered effectively a flawless victory and got his first finish since 2013. Green's defense looked absolutely on point, and he absolutely crushed Al Iaquinta with a beautiful 1-2 combination to start the end. Iaquinta had been away from the cage for two years, and he looked it.

Chris Curtis def. Phil Hawes via TKO (Punches) (Rd. 1 4:27)

Phil Hawes came out looking incredibly sharp with massively improved striking, but then Chris Curtis shocked him with a counter right hand that wobbled Hawes before sending him crumbling shortly after. An electric debut upset for Curtis.

Nassourdine Imavov def. Edmen Shahbazyan via TKO (Crucifix Elbows) (Rd. 2 4:42)

Edmen Shahbazyan's losing streak slips to three in a row, after he was nearly choked out twice by Nassourdine Imavov before being crushed on the ground from the crucifix position. Very impressive win for Imavov, who will likely break into the rankings with this win.

Ian Garry def. Jordan Williams via KO (Punches) (Rd. 1 4:59)

In a very impressive debut, Ireland's Ian Garry getting a knockout with seconds remaining in the first round. Jordan Williams came out hot, but Garry was able to weather the storm and then hit Williams with a picture-perfect pull-counter to get the knockout. Post-fight he used a bunch of Conor McGregor quotes and declared "the Irish were taking over again".

Chris Barnett def. Gian Villante via TKO (Spinning Wheel Kick & Punches) (Rd. 2 2:23)

Huggy Bear!!! Chris Barnett danced on his way to the cage, landed a picture-perfect spinning wheel kick to behind Gian Villante's ear, and then backflipped in celebration. A coming-out party for one of MMA's most beloved journeymen. Hoo boy.

Dustin Jacoby def. John Allan via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Dustin Jacoby took the fight on extremely short notice vs. John Allan and showed that didn't make a difference as he poured on over 300 strike attempts, and easily outpaced his Brazilian opponent.

Melsik Baghdasaryan def. Bruno Souza via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

In a clash of styles, Melsik Baghdasaryan easily outpointed Bruno Souza and his karate stylings. Souza danced around the outside of the cage, before jumping in looking to flurry and was more often countered clean by his Armenian opponent. Not an impressive debut for Souza, but a good professional win for Baghdasaryan.

Ode' Osbourne def. CJ Vergara via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

In a fairly tepid opening affair Ode' Osbourne got the decision victory over CJ Vergara. Osbourne controlled the first two rounds with a fairly slick boxing approach, and while Vergara got the takedown early in the 3rd and dealt some impressive ground and pound, but it wasn't enough.

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