Tag: UFC 268

UFC 268 Bonuses: Chandler vs Gaethje earns Fight Of The Night honors

The UFC 268 bonuses have been released.

The event took place in New York City, New York at the Madison Square Garden. Headlining the card was a clash between Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington for the welterweight title. This fight did not see an act…

The UFC 268 bonuses have been released.

The event took place in New York City, New York at the Madison Square Garden. Headlining the card was a clash between Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington for the welterweight title. This fight did not see an action packed first round, but both fighters did score takedowns. However, Covington continued to work for takedowns in the second round until Usman dropped him twice and had the chance to finish him, but couldn’t. 

The third frame saw a more reserved Usman while Covington started to let his hands go. At the end of it, Covington did get a brief takedown. The fourth round saw a more aggressive Covington who hurt him with a body kick then a left uppercut at the very end of the round. It was a wild start to the fifth round as they threw bombs including Covington tagging him then being stuffed with a takedown. Usman got the decision win. 

The co-main event saw more action between Rose Namajunas and Zhang Weili in a women’s strawweight title. 

This fight saw Rose get a takedown in the first round. The second frame saw Weili stumbling her with a left hand before scoring a takedown after catching a leg kick. They went to clinch work after that. In the third round, Weili had a strong end to the round as she got a takedown and managed to move to the back and then full mount, but time ran out before she could do much damage. 

Although Weili got two takedowns in the fourth round, she didn’t do any damage. Instead, Rose got on top and stayed there without raining down big shots. They continued to exchange in the fifth round as well as Rose scored a takedown. “Thug Rose” walked away with the split decision win to retain her title. 

There was a reason why Michael Chandler vs Justin Gaethje opened the main card as it’s one of the best fights you’ll see all year. Peep the full list of performance bonus winners below. Gaethje got the decision win. 

Fight of the Night: Michael Chandler vs Justin Gaethje 

Performance of the Night: Vera Periera and Green Barnett

MMA News has you covered with results, highlights, and post-fight tidbits from UFC 268. Be sure to keep checking the homepage for the latest news.

Were the right choices made for the UFC 268 bonuses?

UFC 268 Results: Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington, Rose Namajunas vs. Zhang Weili

MMA News is providing ongoing coverage of UFC 268. We’ve got you covered with live results, video highlights, and post-fight tidbits.

Continue Reading UFC 268 Bonuses: Chandler vs Gaethje earns Fight Of The Night honors at MMA News.

7 Takeaways from UFC 268: Usman vs Covington 2

UFC 268 featured two title fights that had two champions defend their titles. A lightweight war between two top contenders would certainly line up the winner for the next shot at the 155-pound champ and the UFC’s return to Madison Square Garden did no…

Usman Covington Face-Off

UFC 268 featured two title fights that had two champions defend their titles. A lightweight war between two top contenders would certainly line up the winner for the next shot at the 155-pound champ and the UFC’s return to Madison Square Garden did not disappoint.

There was a lot to take away from UFC 268, here are some things that stood out.

The World’s Most Famous Arena

The UFC has not been to Madison Square Garden since UFC 244, where the main event was for a belt that would never be contested again in the BMF title. That was in 2019 when Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz fought for that title. The COVID-19 pandemic kept the UFC away from The Garden so this is their first one back in The Big Apple.  Oddly enough, the man that would be the current unofficial BMF titleholder and current welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman headlined the card against another fighter he had already crossed hands with. That with a title fight in the co-main event featuring a champion that won a title there in Rose Namajunas made it seem like the UFC hasn’t been gone long at all.

Honoring Anthony Causi

The UFC takes a lot of heat when something they do, especially with the media, is concerned but rarely do they get attention when they do something nice. COVID 19 kept the UFC out of New York for a year but that didn’t stop them from returning and honoring The New York Post’s Anthony Causi. A photographer that would have been shooting cage side tonight had he not been one of the casualties of the pandemic. The UFC still posted a plaque where he would have been posted for the event. See the image shared by the New York Post’s Scott Fontana:

Last minute lineup change

One thing fans may or may not have seen as a treat was the lightweight match-up between Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler was moved to the opener for the pay-per-view portion of the main card. The announcement was made during fight week because between Kamaru Usman, Rose Namajunas, and Gaethje, coach Trevor Wittman would have to just be cage-side for three fights in a row and after what came of Gaethje and Chandler, it seems like it was the right call. Gaethje certainly thinks so.

Chris Barnett vs Gian Villante

A lot was going on in this match-up, but what went on after Barnett scored the knockout over Villante is one of those moments, among many that Madison Square Garden holds that make the place so special. Barnett used his time to honor his opponent Villante, a New York native who seemed to be retiring with this fight in his hometown.  The finish was good too, but what Barnett did was honorable. 

A Lightweight Warzone

Speaking of Gaethje and Chandler. The fight delivered in more ways than expected simply because these two men ran into each other over and over again and neither man wanted to stop. Chandler’s been in wars before and Gaethje likes to make every fight a war. It was fun, but Gaethje would prove the more durable fighter of the two former lightweight champions. Both men were transported to the hospital as a precautionary measure but Chandler seemed to need the trip more than Gaethje did.

And Still

Namajunas was able to fend off Zhang Weili for the second time, but it was a split decision which means there’s likely a trilogy in the future, but there’s another former champion waiting in the wings. In the post-fight press conference, Dana White said fighters should not wait for fights but it looks like both Carla Esparza and Joanna J?drzejczyk seem to insist on doing just that. The strawweight division has a lot of the same players, so someone has to shake it up, right?

The Nightmare Continues

Kamaru Usman was able to defend his title against Colby Covington, but Covington was able to win the respect of Usman and maybe some fans in his attempt to become a champion. It was also a reminder that Covington is more than the gimmick he’s been running, he’s a legitimate contender. Usman seems to have beaten everyone there is to beat but Covington did do better than the last time. A trilogy after a unanimous decision is a hard sell, so fans will have to wait and see what’s coming in the welterweight division.

There’s obviously more to take away from this event than what is listed here. What’s next for the champions and winners is always fun to speculate but for all the established fighters and champions, new blood seems to be coming in more than ever so the matches to make are endless.

What did you take away from the event?

Continue Reading 7 Takeaways from UFC 268: Usman vs Covington 2 at MMA News.

Rose Namajunas Defends Title In Close Decision Win Over Zhang Weili – UFC 268 Highlights

Rose NamajunasAnd Still. Two-time UFC strawweight champion, Rose Namajunas has secured the first successful strawweight title defense of her second reign as champion — narrowly edging out former titleholder, Zhang Weili with a split decision (49-48, 48-49, 49-46) triumph in the co-headliner of UFC 268. Taking the opening round against the Hebei native with her accurate […]

Rose Namajunas

And Still. Two-time UFC strawweight champion, Rose Namajunas has secured the first successful strawweight title defense of her second reign as champion — narrowly edging out former titleholder, Zhang Weili with a split decision (49-48, 48-49, 49-46) triumph in the co-headliner of UFC 268.

Taking the opening round against the Hebei native with her accurate striking, Namajunas managed to score a lot more with her volume striking — with Weili looking to get the fight to the ground whenever possible.

Still entirely dangerous in the pocket and in close quarters, Weili managed to wobble Wisconsin native, Namajunas, and without dropping the champion — Weili’s striking especially during drawn-out exchanges seemed to grab the attention of the defending champion, as did the constant flurry of leg kicks.

Controlling the fight for some considerable time in the fifth round, Namajunas, under the tutelage of Trevor Wittman and Pat Barry took Weili down early in the fifth and final frame — controlling the challenger for some significant time on top prior to the final klaxon.

Below, catch the highlights from Namajunas’ successful defense against Weili.

Justin Gaethje Calls For Title Shot After Win Over Michael Chandler

Justin GaethjeJustin Gaethje made his call for another shot at the UFC lightweight title after his gutsy victory over Michael Chandler at UFC 268. Gaethje and Chandler opened up the main card of UFC 268 in Madison Square Garden. As expected, the two put on an absolute war for the entire 15 minute stretch, going back-and-forth […]

Justin Gaethje

Justin Gaethje made his call for another shot at the UFC lightweight title after his gutsy victory over Michael Chandler at UFC 268.

Gaethje and Chandler opened up the main card of UFC 268 in Madison Square Garden. As expected, the two put on an absolute war for the entire 15 minute stretch, going back-and-forth for three straight rounds. After the dust had settled, the judges decided that Gaethje had done enough to get the nod.

In his post fight interview, Gaethje wasted little time letting it be known where he sees himself in the division.

Gaethje said that he deserves the winner of the Dustin Poirier vs Charles Oliviera matchup next month.

“I know at this level, with what was on the line tonight, I had to put him to sleep,” Gaethje said of Chandler. “Same for him. We’re fighting to fight for that belt. The winner in December, I will be f—ing stepping in there, and I will be pushing you everywhere and anywhere. Hopefully it’s Oliviera in Brazil or Poirier in Louisiana.

“I’m ranked number 2, I just got another impressive win. Who else? DC ain’t out here, So I’m the only motherf—er left.”

It would be hard to imagine the UFC opting to go in any other direction. Gaethje has continuously proven to be one of – if not the – most exciting fighters on the planet, with the fanbase to show for it. Though he already has a loss to Poirier on his record, the fight was an all-time classic that no one would mind seeing run back.

Do you think Justin Gaethje will get the next title shot? Let us know!

Alex Pereira Stops Andreas Michailidis With Stunning Flying Knee – UFC 268 Highlights

Alex PereiraWhat a spectacular finish for former GLORY Kickboxing light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira who makes his UFC debut in splendid fashion courtesy of a stunning second round flying knee knockout win over Andreas Michailidies in the featured preliminary bout of UFC 268. Struggling with the wrestling of Michailidis early in the opening frame, Pereira was […]

Alex Pereira

What a spectacular finish for former GLORY Kickboxing light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira who makes his UFC debut in splendid fashion courtesy of a stunning second round flying knee knockout win over Andreas Michailidies in the featured preliminary bout of UFC 268.

Struggling with the wrestling of Michailidis early in the opening frame, Pereira was taken down at the first attempt from the Greece native — before spending the majority of the remaining four minutes of the first round trapped in the clinch as Michailidis tied up at the fence.

Seeing a second round, Pereira launched with a staggering flying knee inside just 15-seconds of the opening frame, catching Michailidis flush — before landing a couple more strikes before referee, Dan Miragliotta eventually stepped in and saved Michailidis from further punishment.

Below, catch the highlights from Pereira’s successful UFC victory.

Nassourdine Imavov Slices Through Edmen Shahbazyan With Crucifix Elbows – UFC 268 Highlights

Nassourdine ImavovFactory MMA trainee, Nassourdine Imavov continues to impress in the UFC — handing the highly-touted, Edmen Shahbazyan his third consecutive loss following a series of slicing and slashing elbows from the mounted crucifix position late in the second round of his late preliminary card opener at UFC 268. Threatening with a series of submission attempts […]

Nassourdine Imavov

Factory MMA trainee, Nassourdine Imavov continues to impress in the UFC — handing the highly-touted, Edmen Shahbazyan his third consecutive loss following a series of slicing and slashing elbows from the mounted crucifix position late in the second round of his late preliminary card opener at UFC 268.

Threatening with a series of submission attempts before the eventual finish, Imavov, under the tutelage of the renowned, Fernand Lopez, looked to latch onto a trio of anaconda and D’Arce chokes as well as a high elbow guillotine, ultimately to no avail

As Shahbazyan attempted to secure his own guillotine by pulling guard, Imavov scrambled and eventually moved to a mounted crucifix position, continually opening up Shahbazyan with a series of slashing elbow strikes.

Below, catch the highlights from Imavov’s stoppage victory over Shahbazyan.