2026 UFL Week 2 Results: Defenders Dominate Aviators

The 2026 UFL season continued Friday with the DC Defenders TKTK the Columbus Aviators to kick off Week 2. Next, the Louisville Kings face the Orlando Storm on Saturday, while the Birmingham Stallions take on the Houston Gamblers on Sunday. Week 2 concludes Tuesday with the St. Louis Battlehawks battling the Dallas Renegades. Here are the results from Week 2: DC Defenders 44, Columbus Aviators 26 Key players: Defenders QB Jordan Ta’amu (8-for-11 for 99 yards, one touchdown), RB Deon Jackson (11 carries for 97 yards, three touchdowns); Aviators QB Jalan McClendon (23-for-37 for 157 yards, two touchdowns), RB Jalan McClendon (eight carries for 55 yards, one touchdown). Game recap: Both teams came out swinging in this one, rattling off touchdowns on each of their first drives. The Defenders went 60 yards in eight plays before hitting pay dirt, while the Aviators took 13 plays to go the same distance. Nonetheless, it was tied 7-all headed into the second quarter. The Defenders cashed in for a field goal on their next drive to take a 10-7 lead, while the Aviators missed from 51 yards on their ensuing possession. DC then took charge with back-to-back touchdowns to make it 24-7. Both of them came on the ground, with running back Xazavian Valladay first punching in a 10-yard score and Jackson adding a 12-yard touchdown. A muffed punt on the next drive gave the ball right back to Columbus, which answered with a rushing score of its own to make it 24-14. The last first-half possession for both teams was an interception, so it remained a 10-point game at halftime. Chaos ensued in the second half for the Aviators, who fumbled the ball twice in the third quarter. The Defenders scored twice off those miscues, extending their lead to 38-14 midway through the frame. Columbus was able to add a touchdown late in the third quarter to cut into DC's lead, but it was too little too late. The Defenders added a field goal early in the fourth quarter to make it a 21-point game, 41-20, and the Aviators were never able to catch up. Another fumble, turnover on downs and an interception sealed Columbus' fate and sent the Aviators to 0-2 on the season. Up next: In Week 3, the Defenders host the Gamblers on Saturday, and the Aviators are on the road vs. the Renegades on Sunday. Louisville Kings at Orlando Storm Stay tuned for updates. Up next: In Week 3, the Kings and the Storm are back at it again on Friday, but this time Louisville is hosting. Birmingham Stallions at Houston Gamblers Stay tuned for updates. Up next: In Week 3, the Stallions are on the road vs. the Battlehawks on Sunday, and the Gamblers are on the road vs. the Defenders on Saturday. St. Louis Battlehawks at Dallas Renegades Stay tuned for updates. Up next: In Week 3, the Battlehawks are hosting the Stallions on Sunday, and the Renegades are hosting the Aviators on Sunday.