The iconic Madison Square Garden played host to one of the biggest fight nights of 2021 as Kamaru Usman and Rose Namajunas successfully defended their respective titles at UFC 268 in New York.

Both champions were made to work, with the two title fights at the top of a stacked fight card both going to the judges’ scorecards. Usman claimed a unanimous decision win over Colby Covington with scores of 48-47, 48-47, 49-46, while Namajunas edged out Zhang Weili via split decision, with scores of 47-48, 48-47, 49-46

The main card also saw a big win for Marlon Vera, who finished former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar, and Shane Burgos, who battled past Billy Quarantillo on the scorecards.

But the fight that stole the show was undoubtedly the main card opener, as lightweight rivals Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler went toe to toe in a three-round war that will live long in the memory.

Former interim champion Gaethje and former Bellator champ Chandler left it all in the octagon in a breathless encounter that Gaethje took on the scorecards with scores of 29-28, 29-28, 30-27 to position himself for a shot at the UFC lightweight title in early 2022.

Recap the results from Madison Square Garden below:

UFC 268: Official Results

Main Card

  • Kamaru Usman def. Colby Covington via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) – for UFC welterweight title 
  • Rose Namajunas def. Zhang Weili via split decision (47-48, 48-47, 49-46) – for UFC women’s strawweight title
  • Marlon Vera def. Frankie Edgar via knockout (front kick) – Round 3, 3:50
  • Shane Burgos def. Billy Quarantillo via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Justin Gaethje def. Michael Chandler via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Prelims

  • Alex Pereira def. Andreas Michailidis via TKO (flying knee and punches) – Round 2, 0:18
  • Bobby Green def. Al Iaquinta via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:25
  • Chris Curtis def. Phil Hawes via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 4:27
  • Nassourdine Imavov def. Edmen Shahbazyan via TKO (elbows) – Round 2, 4:42

Early Prelims

  • Ian Garry def. Jordan Williams via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 4:59
  • Chris Barnett def. Gian Villante via TKO (wheel kick and punches) – Round 2, 2:23
  • Dustin Jacoby def. John Allan via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
  • Melsik Baghdasaryan def. Bruno Souza via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Ode Osbourne def. CJ Vergara via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)