X
CNET logo Why You Can Trust CNET

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement

UFC 268 Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington: When it starts, how to watch or stream online

UFC 268 has a stacked card full of potential classic fights.

Mark Serrels Editorial Director
Mark Serrels is an award-winning Senior Editorial Director focused on all things culture. He covers TV, movies, anime, video games and whatever weird things are happening on the internet. He especially likes to write about the hardships of being a parent in the age of memes, Minecraft and Fortnite. Definitely don't follow him on Twitter.
See full bio
Mark Serrels
3 min read
gettyimages-1314441606

Kamaru Usman, one of the best fighters on the planet.

 Alex Menendez/Getty Images

UFC 268 kicks off today and could be a classic event in the making. Not only does UFC 268 feature two incredibly compelling title fights, it also plays host to some potential fight of the year candidates.

In the main event we have a rematch of one of the greatest title fights of all time in Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington. Last time these two wrestlers fought they beat the ever loving hell out of one another on the feet. Will they do the same in the rematch? Hard to say. I'd expect a little more wrestling in this one, but wrestler vs. wrestler match-ups tend to be fought standing, so I'm expecting another war.

See at ESPN Plus

But the title fight rematch between Rose Namajunas and Zhang Weili could be even more intriguing. Last time they fought Namajunas knocked Weili out with a spectacular head kick in the first round. I don't see that happening this time. This will most likely be a striking clinic between two of the best strikers in the UFC. Absolutely cannot wait for this.

Perhaps the most exciting fight on the card is a contest between Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler. Considering both are wild men typically involved in absolute slug fests, you can expect an instant classic.

Here's everything you need to know about UFC 268.

UFC 268 Start time

Be careful with this one! The times are very different compared to most UFC PPV events.
The UFC 268 main card starts at 10.00 p.m. EDT (7.00 p.m. PDT) on Nov. 6. Here are all the details from multiple timezones.

US

  • The main card starts Nov 6, 10.00 p.m. EDT (7.00 p.m. PDT).
  • The prelims start Nov 6, 8.00 p.m. EDT (5.00 p.m. PDT).
  • The early prelims start Nov 6, 6.00 p.m. EDT (3.00 p.m. PDT).

UK

  • The main card starts Nov 7. 30, 2 a.m. GMT.
  • The prelims start Nov 7, midnight. GMT.
  • The early prelims start Nov 6, 10 p.m. GMT

Australia

  • The main card starts Nov 7, 1.00 p.m AEDT.
  • The prelims start Nov 7, 11.00 a.m. AEDT.
  • The early prelims start Nov 7, 9.00 a.m. AEDT 

How to watch UFC 268

The UFC now has a partnership with ESPN. That's great news for the UFC and the expansion of the sport of MMA, but bad news for consumer choice. Especially if you're one of the UFC fans who want to watch UFC in the US.

In the US, if you want to know how to watch UFC 268, you'll only find the fight night on PPV through ESPN Plus. The cost structure is a bit confusing, but here are the options to watch UFC on ESPN, according to ESPN's site:

  • Existing yearly ESPN Plus subscribers can order the upcoming UFC fight for $70.  
  • Existing monthly ESPN Plus subscribers will be able to either upgrade to an annual plan and buy UFC PPV for $85 or purchase the ability to watch the UFC event on PPV for $70 by itself.
  • New ESPN Plus subscribers can buy a bundle of one UFC PPV event (streaming in HD) and an ESPN Plus annual recurring subscription for $90. This is a decent deal. The previous bundle gave a saving of 25% but this new bundle is a 35% saving. The ESPN Plus annual ESPN subscription will auto-renew after one year, at the price of an ESPN Plus annual subscription at the time of auto-renewal.

You can do all of the above at the link below.

See at ESPN Plus

MMA fans in the UK can watch UFC 268 exclusively through BT Sport. There are more options if you live in Australia. You can watch UFC 268 through Main Event on Foxtel. You can also watch on the UFC website or using its app. You can even order using your PlayStation or using the UFC app on your Xbox.

Need more international viewing options? Try a VPN to change your IP address to access those US, UK or Australian options listed above. See the best VPNs currently recommended by CNET editors.

Full fight card

As always, UFC fight cards are subject to change. 

Main card

  • Kamaru Usman (c) vs. Colby Covington 
  • Rose Namajunas (c) vs. Zhang Weili 
  • Frankie Edgar vs. Marlon Vera
  • Shane Burgos vs. Billy Quarantillo
  • Justin Gaethje vs. Michael Chandler

Preliminary card 

  • Alex Pereira vs. Andreas Michailidis
  • Al Iaquinta vs. Bobby Green
  • Phillip Hawes vs. Chris Curtis
  • Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Nassourdine Imavov
  • Ian Garry vs. Jordan Williams

Early Prelims

  • Gian Villante vs. Chris Barnett
  • Dustin Jacoby vs. John Allan
  • Melsik Baghdasaryan vs. TJ Laramie 
  • CJ Vergara vs. Ode' Osbourne