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          UFC 268 Usman vs. Covington 2: Francis Ngannou, Darius Leonard and more weigh in after Kamaru Usman retains welterweight title

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          Kamaru Usman defends title vs. Colby Covington (1:35)

          Kamaru Usman defeats Colby Covington via unanimous decision to defend his welterweight title at UFC 268. (1:35)

          • Brianna Williams, ESPNNov 7, 2021, 05:35 AM

          The championship rematch at UFC 268 between Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington wasn't short on plotlines.

          The story was set: Usman, ESPN's No.1 ranked pound-for-pound MMA fighter, is defending his UFC welterweight title for the fifth time against Covington, the No. 3-ranked fighter, at one of the world's most iconic sporting venues in Madison Square Garden.

          As if that wasn't enough, the fight had a lot to live up to since Usman's December 2019 victory via fifth-round TKO was one for the ages.

          The Garden was the perfect location for a fight of such epic proportions.

          After five rounds, the world witnessed Usman retain his UFC welterweight title to extend his winning streak to 15 straight fights -- one short of tying the longest streak in UFC history, which currently belongs to Anderson Silva.

          The second meeting lived up to, and maybe even exceeded, the expectations of spectators who chimed in on social media once the champion was crowned.