The first fight between Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington delivered UFC fans a classic. Their second clash was no different.

The two welterweight fighters, the champion and No. 1 contender, respectively, lasted the full five rounds Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. Usman took control early, connecting on a few heavy hits and knocking Covington down twice in the second round. Covington didn’t back down, however, as he turned up the aggressiveness in the later rounds to stave off a potential knockout blow and work his way to a decision. 

When the cards were in, it was still Usman, who won by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) to retain his welterweight belt and further cement his place atop UFC’s pound-for-pound fighter rankings.

Usman wasn’t the only fighter on Saturday to defend his title. Facing the former women’s strawweight belt-holder, Rose Namajunas also went the full five rounds against Zhang Weili in defense of her belt. Zhang did damage early with a few kicks, putting the champion on her heels, but Namajunas got going in the later rounds and had a critical takedown in the fifth that wound up being a difference-maker in the fight.

Here’s how the night went down. 

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Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington 2 live updates, highlights from UFC 268 

(All times Eastern)

Usman retains welterweight title with unanimous decision win against Covington

Scores: 48-47, 48-47, 49-46

Round 5 (1:32 a.m.): Covington goes in for the first couple of shots. Covington connects on another jab, but Usman counters with a hard hit of his own. Covington hits an uppercut and has started to land a lot more. The two grapple to the mat. Usman connects with a kick to the head. Usman slips after a kick attempt from Covington, but stays on his feet and grapples with him on the side. Time called for an eye poke. Usman connects with a hard kick and throws another punch, but both are able to finish the fight. Respect shown between the two sides at the end.

Round 4 (1:25 a.m.): Covington has maintained his aggressiveness coming into the fourth round. He keeps landing hard blows on Usman, as Usman has waited for an opening. Usman starts going for some more body shots and lands a right hook to the face. Usman lands a left hook and starts to charge in with a few more shots. Covington then lands a kick to the body and goes back on attack against Usman. Covington pins Usman against the side with about 30 seconds left. Usman gets out and lands a shot to Covington.

Round 3 (1:19 a.m.): After a few exchanges, Covington lands a solid shot to the head just a minute in, but Usman counters a few minutes later with a shot over the top. The two dance around the ring for a bit before Covington tries to take down Usman. Usman ends up on top and lands a few body blows before they get back up. Covington hits a few jabs before Usman gets a right hook on Covington’s head. Covington starts to land a few more shots around 30 seconds, and then gets a takedown of Usman. 

Round 2 (1:13 a.m.): Covington attempts a kick early, and Usman is able to get around it and land a hard left hook. Covington takes another swing and the two grapple for a bit before breaking back out. Usman hits him with a punishing shot when he tried to get in close again. Covington has tried a few high kicks, but Usman has been ready to defend them. Covington rushes in to put Usman against the side. Instead of a takedown, Usman grapples him and lands a few blows to the shoulders. Usman firing in a few more shots with under a minute to go, and connects with a heavy left that knocks down Covington. Covington gets back up, but Usman keeps firing. Covington goes down to grab Usman’s fight, and is absorbing body shots as the horn is blown. 

Round 1 (1:07 a.m.): Usman lands the first jab of the night with a left, and he lands another shortly after that. Covington tries to get a takedown, but Usman flips it around and lands a few blows to the head before they get up. Usman and Covington trade shots before Usman gets a quick takedown. Usman lands a hard left after some brief exchanges. Covington takes one last swing, but comes up empty as the round ends.

1:01 a.m.: No touching of the gloves. This fight begins now.

12:53 a.m.: Now the best pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC is making his entrance.

12:50 a.m.: The No. 1 welterweight contender is making his walk out to the Octagon.

See below for complete results from the undercard.

UFC 268 results from full card

Rose Namajunas uses late takedowns to defend strawweight title in split decision win against Zhang Weili

Scores: 48-47 Zhang, 48-47 Namajunas, 49-46 Namajunas

Round 5 (12:34 a.m.): It takes about a minute in before Namajunas gets a huge takedown of Zhang. Zhang is firing back with some elbows to the head as she’s pinned down, but Namajunas has kept her on the ground before starting to land punches to the head. Zhang tries to get up with some kicks, but Namajunas pins her right back. Namajunas turns the corner and lands a right hand to Zhang’s head. Zhang keeps trying to use her legs to get Namajunas off her, but she hasn’t been able to create enough space to get away, and has been unable to escape the ground. With 30 seconds left, Zhang seemingly had a window to get up, but she stays on the ground and Namajunas strikes her with a shot to the face and pins her again. There’s the horn, and this one goes the distance.

Round 4 (12:28 a.m.): Namajunas lands a few hard punches to start the round, but Zhang gets a takedown. Namajunas didn’t stay down long, however, as she started sending some upkicks to back off Zhang and get back up. Zhang starts to take down Namajunas, and as they’re on the ground, Namajunas is able to flip around on top. The pair exchange hits to the head, but Namajunas kept adding some hits to the body. Zhang hasn’t made much of an attempt to get up, and Namajunas was able to keep landing shots until the round ended.

Round 3 (12:23 a.m.): The two start off the third round exchanging a few jabs, but for the most part have kept some distance between one another. Namajunas lands a hard right-hander toward the middle of the round and the two grapple a bit. Zhang tries a kick, but falls down on the attempt. She then tries to pin Namajunas against the side, but Namajunas is able to escape. Zhang lands a hard left hook, and then is able to get a takedown of Namajunas and get on her back. Namajunas spins around, but Zhang gets back on top near the end of the round and lands a pair of punches.

Round 2 (12:16 a.m.): Zhang once again starting with a few kicks, but Namajunas counters with some punches. After a few kicks, Zhang lands a heavy left hand that stumbles Namajunas. Zhang quickly takes advantage by taking down Namajunas, who lands an upkick before Zhang gets down to wrestle. Zhang starts throwing some body shots before Namajunas is able to get up. Namajunas pins Zhang to the side, then stands up and throws a punch before the end of the round.

Round 1 (12:09 a.m.): Zhang strikes first with a sideways kick. After absorbing some kicks, Namajunas steps up with a kick and a pair of jabs to Zhang. Namajunas lands some kicks, but Zhang takes her down and tries to establish herself on top. Zhang stands up and lands a jab to the face. She then wraps up, and starts firing in some right-handed body shots. Namajunas turns to get up and get herself out. Namajunas attempts a kick, and even though it doesn’t land, it gets Zhang to fall down and she gets in a few punches before the end of the first round.

12:02 a.m.: Namajunas walks out to the ring, telling herself along the way, “I am the best.” She’s looking to defend her women’s strawweight championship.

11:58 p.m.: Zhang is the first into the ring ahead of her title rematch against Namajunas.

Justin Gaethje picks up impressive win by unanimous decision against Michael Chandler

Scores: 29-28, 29-28, 30-27

Round 3 (10:35 p.m.): Gaethje absorbs a few early punches, and brings the fight to the floor, but Gaethje turns it around with a front flip. As soon as they’re back up, Gaethje hits him with a left to the head. Chandler tried a few hard hits, but Gaethje connected with a huge right to the head. The two dance around toward the end, but both make it to the decision.

Round 2 (10:34 p.m.): Chandler again comes out throwing a few hard punches, but Gaethje is able to avoid them. Gaethje gets a knockdown on Chandler with an uppercut with about 3:30 left, and he immediately pounces to take advantage. Chandler trying to stay low and avoid taking too many shots, but Gaethje has a good hold on him. Chandler gets his arm off, and Gaethje lets him get up. Chandler gets up and goes right back to throwing a few jabs and a few quick kicks as Gaethje waits for an opening. Chandler dives, but Gaethje dodgers it. Gaethje takes an eye poke and Chandler tries to jump on the chance, but the ref stops it.

Round 1(10:27 p.m.): Chandler has come out in the first round aggressive. He landed a few solid jabs, and eventually, one hard strike from Chandler gets him off balance. Gaethje gets in some punches and an uppercut on Chandler, who appears to be getting a bit worn out as the round is going on. Chandler attempted a flying knee, but Gaetje was able to block it.

10:21 p.m.: Time for the start of the main card.

10:17 p.m.: Chandler was the first to reach the Octagon. Now, Gaethje is heading out.

10:15 p.m.: Walkouts for the first fight of the night starting.

Shane Burgos uses kicks to solidify unanimous decision win against Billy Quarantillo

Scores: 29-28, 29-28, 29-28

Round 3 (11:12 p.m.): Burgos gets right back where he left off with a couple hard punches. Quarantillo clearly is hobbled on his left leg. Quarantillo falls to the mat, and Burgos gets in a hit. Quarantillo brings the fight to the side and is trying to wrestle Burgos, but Burgos is able to get out of it. Quarantillo gets Burgos down with just over a minute left, but Burgos gets back up and is able to land a few knees on him. Now Quarantillo is hitting him with some knees near the side, but Burgos turns it around and starts to land some jabs before the fight wraps up.

Round 2 (11:05 p.m.): Burgos absorbed a few heavy shots from Quarantillo as soon as the round started. They face off on the side, and Burgos gets in some punches to the head as the two are locked in. Burgos was able to land some strong jabs on Quarantillo. Quarantillo lands a heavy right with just under a minute left, but Burgos turns it around. Burgos starts hammering him with a few hard shots to the head, pins him against the side and gives him a few body shots at the end of the round.

Round 1 (10:59 p.m.): Quarantillo starts with a few kicks, and then tries to get in a few uppercuts in the first 30 seconds. Burgos body locks Quarantillo at the side of the Octagon. Quarantillo gets out after a few knees to the body. Burgos starting to throw a few more punches toward the midway point of the round, but has been content to fight a bit more defensively. Quarantillo follows a few shots to Burgos by grabbing his leg and bringing him to the side. Quarantillo slips late, and Burgos connects on a right hander as Quarantillo is down.

10:53 p.m.: Fighter introductions starting up for the second fight of the night.

Marlon Vera lands kick to the chin to beat Frankie Edgar by knockout

Round 3 (11:43 p.m.): The two exchange jabs to start the round, and Vera gets in a good side kick. Vera has been more the aggressor in this round as he’s been controlling the tempo and forcing Edgar to take a few paces back. After a quick stop, Vera lands another hard side kick. Edgar tries to take him down, but Vera escapes it. Vera lands a front kick to the chin, and it takes down Edgar. This fight is over.

Round 2 (11:37 p.m.): Vera lands a few jabs, but Edgar gets another takedown just over a minute into the round. Vera was landed upkicks on Edgar and started hitting him with elbows. Edgar connects with some body shots and a jab to the face before they stand up about a minute later. Vera gets Edgar with kicks, and has one strike in the middle with a knee before landing a big knee shot to the shoulder. Vera connects on two more body kicks and adds in a knee before the end of the round.

Round 1 (11:31 p.m.): Edgar tries to wrestle Vera to the ground, but Vera stays up. Vera tries for a kick, but Edgar grabs him on the attempt, however, he can’t do much more than stop the blow. Edgar tries to take him down, but Vera wraps his head up. Edgar escapes the grip and gets himself on top. Edgar tries to lift up Vera and slam him to the mat, but comes back down and swings a few elbows. Vera responds by elbowing him from below. Edgar gets in with shots to the rib. Edgar stands up, and Vera lands some kicks before Edgar comes back down.

11:23 p.m.: Edgar turns the walkout into a runout as he jogs right out to the Octagon ahead of the fight. 

UFC 268 start time

• Start time: 6:00 p.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. PT
• Main card (PPV): 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT
• Main event: 12 a.m. ET / 9:00 p.m. PT (approximate)

UFC 268: Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington 2 takes place on November 6 with the prelims kicking the event off at 6 p.m. ET, before the pay-per-view main card begins at 10 p.m. ET. Usman and Covington should enter the Octagon around 12 a.m. ET, depending on the length of the undercard bouts.

How to watch UFC 268: Usman vs. Covington 2

• TV channels/live stream: ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+
• PPV price: $69.99 (current ESPN+ subscribers)
• PPV price: $89.98 (new subscribers)

The main card for UFC 268 is available in the U.S. on the ESPN+ subscription streaming service for a pay-per-view cost. That portion of the event begins at 10 p.m.

Earlier fights, however, are viewable live on ESPN, the WatchESPN app and, for the early prelims, on UFC Fight Pass.

In Canada, the main card pay-per-view is available on Bell, Rogers, Shaw, SaskTel, Videotron, Telus, Eastlink, and UFC PPV on UFC Fight Pass.

The PPV price for UFC 268 is $69.99 for current subscribers. New subscribers can pay a bundle price of $89.98 for the UFC 268 pay-per-view and an ESPN+ annual subscription, which offers a savings of over 30 percent.

Click here to learn about the different pricing and bundling options with the ESPN+ platform.

UFC 268 fight card 

Main Card

• Kamaru Usman (c) vs. Colby Covington for Usman’s UFC Welterweight championship
• UFC Women’s Strawweight: Rose Namajunas (c) vs. Zhang Weili for Namajunas’ championship
• Lightweights: Justin Gaethje vs. Michael Chandler
• Featherweights: Shane Burgos vs. Billy Quarantillo
• Bantamweights: Frankie Edgar vs. Marlon Vera

Preliminary card 

• Middleweights: Alex Pereira def. Andreas Michailidis via 2nd round TKO (flying knee) (0:18)
• Lightweights: Bobby Green def. Al Iaquinta via 1st round TKO (punches) (2:25)
• Middleweights: Chris Curtis def. Phil Hawes via 1st round KO (punches) (4:27)
• Middleweights: Nassourdine Imavov def. Edmen Shahbazyan via 2nd round TKO (crucifix position, elbows) (4:42)
• Welterweights: Ian Garry def Jordan Williams via 1st round KO (punches) (4:59)

Early prelims

• Heavyweights: Chris Barnett def. Gian Villante via 2nd round TKO (spinning hook kick) (2:23)
• Light Heavyweights: Dustin Jacoby def. John Allan via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Men’s Fetherweight: Melsik Baghdasaryan def. Bruna Souza via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Flyweights: Ode’ Osbourne def. CJ Vergara by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)