UFC 268 IN REVIEW: Stunning knockouts, victorious champs, and one absolute war
Just as UFC 267, UFC 268 lived up to the hype and continues the streak of incredible nights of fighting in the last few months. Let’s take a look at the 5 most significant fights of the Abu Dhabi card.
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1. Alex Pereira vs. Andreas Michailidis
Pereira made his long-awaited UFC debut in the last fight of the preliminary fights, and he did not disappoint, knocking Michailidis out with a flying knee early in the second round. While Pereira is a new name to the UFC, the Brazilian is a kickboxing veteran, holding 33 wins and 21 knockouts to his name. Most notably, Pereira is the only fighter to have knocked out current Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, and fans will be itching to see a potential Pereira-Adesanya rematch down the line.
2. Justin Gaethje vs. Michael Chandler (FOTN)
One of the most anticipated fights of the year, the two fighters did not disappoint, putting on of the most spectacular back and forth fights in recent memory. In an absolutely incredible first round, the two fighters exchanged bombs with each other, with both landing clean several times. Gaethje remained more composure for the second and third rounds, and dropped Chandler clean with an uppercut in the beginning of the second, but failed to finish. Gaethje took home the decision victory, both the stocks of both fighters will surely rise. Chandler proved that he still has his chin and power at his age, and Gaethje reminded fans that he still the number one threat to the Lightweight belt holder.
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3. Frankie Edgar vs. Marlon Vera
Marlon “Chito” Vera finished the UFC veteran Frankie Edgar in stunning fashion, delivering a brutal kick that caught Edgar on the chin and send him sprawling into the canvas. This is the second knockout Edgar has suffered this year after Cory Sandhagen’s similarly devastating flying knee earlier this year. Chito Vera will have his eyes set on a top 5 ranked fighter as he looks to take on the top of the division.
4. Rose Namajunas vs Weili Zhang
Namajunas took home the decision victory in a much anticipated five-round rematch against former champion Weili Zhang. After a stunning early finish by Namajunas in their last fight, the American demonstrated that she is an elite calibre fighter once again. Some fans will be claiming that Weili won 3-2 instead of the other way around, but the judges deemed that Namajunas had down enough in the fourth and fifth rounds the claim the victory.
5. Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington
Trevor Whittman’s fighters took home a hat trick of victories as Usman also defended his belt, winning by decision against Covington. Having knocked out Covington late in the last fight, Usman again dropped him twice in the second round and was dominant early on. Covington gradually came into the fight, but his efforts were not enough to influence the scorecards. Usman proved again that he is one of the most well-rounded fighters in the UFC today and the clear pound-for-pound number one. His dominance is reaching levels that were only seen by Georges St. Pierre, and it is hard to see him losing his belt anytime soon.
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