Israel Adesanya defends his title in rematch against Robert Whittaker at UFC 271
Israel Adesanya retains middleweight title
The Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to us tonight, February 12, 2022, for UFC 271, going down live at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Headlining the event is a middleweight championship rematch between UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and No. 1 ranked former champion Robert Whittaker.
Since their first meeting, the champion has gone 3-1, his only defeat coming at 205 lbs whilst challenging for that belt, while the former champion has gone 3-0 since his defeat to Adesanya.
In fact, Whittaker is 11-1 at 185 lbs in the UFC, the only defeat coming to the champion. He was also coming off the longest layoff of his career going into that first encounter.
Continue reading to see how this epic middleweight championship clash went down:
Official Result: Israel Adesanya def. Robert Whittaker via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)
The champion takes the center of the octagon and begins to pick Whittaker apart, dropping him with a beautiful cross, as well as damaging his leg via leg kicks.
The second round was much better for the challenger, he secured a momentary takedown, and even landed some of his own shots, though it’d appear the champion is still in control.
Whittaker is having a tough time finding his range on the feet, as most do against Adesanya. He’s lunging in with punches, not as much as in their first encounter, but he’s trying to create opportunities for himself.
Adesanya is absolutely on point tonight though, and Whittaker just doesn’t seem to have an answer aside from his occasional takedowns.
Since unifying the belt against Whittaker in their first fight, Adesanya has now defended his belt four times.
It appears No. 3 ranked Jared Cannonier, who just viciously KO’d Derek Brunson last night as well, is next in line to challenge the Nigerian for his prestigious championship, and that couldn’t be a more exciting match up.
