UFC 268 one of all-time great cards, with thrills, shocks and sheer violence from first bell to final buzzer
- UFC back with a bang in the Big Apple, as dramatic return to Madison Square Garden throws up plenty of fascinating storylines
- There may not have been as much buzz as for November 2019’s ‘BMF’ title fight, but New York witnesses an electrifying event
It’s always a special night when the UFC rocks up to the Garden, and Saturday’s spectacular return to Manhattan will go down as one of the best shows in the promotion’s history.
The buzz around New York City certainly paled in comparison to the UFC’s last outing in the Big Apple in November 2019, when Donald Trump came to town for the “BMF” title fight between Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz, in those blissful final months before the Covid-19 pandemic took hold of the world.
But from the first bell to the final buzzer, UFC 268 provided thrills, shocks and sheer violence, throwing up plenty of fascinating storylines going forward – and seeing an unprecedented feat from certified coach of the year Trevor Wittman, whose charges went 3-0.
Former interim lightweight champ Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler set the tone for a raucous main card in the war of all wars, with “The Highlight” getting the nod from the judges. Rose Namajunas then retained her strawweight title by the skin of her teeth, denying resurgent former champ Zhang Weili of China in a split decision in the co-main event.
Kamaru Usman then capped off the night for Colorado native Wittman and the Elevation Fight Team crew, continuing his reign of terror and once again turning back his brash rival Colby Covington – though this time with a less-than-comfortable unanimous decision.
Covington was noticeably wary of Usman’s power in the early stages, and got caught – and dropped – twice as the second round dwindled down, but this time was able to survive unlike that fifth round in their dramatic first encounter.
