UFC 271 LIVE: Adesanya vs Whittaker stream, fight card, latest updates and results tonight
The middleweight title was on the line in the main event, as rivals took part in a long-awaited rematch
Nearly two-and-a-half years after they first clashed in the Octagon, Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker will go head-to-head for the UFC middleweight title again this evening.
In October 2019, Adesanya’s meteoric rise through the 185lbs division culminated in the then-interim champion’s victory over Whittaker in Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium, as the biggest crowd in UFC history watched their home fighter get knocked out in the second round to surrender his belt. For Whittaker, the pressure of a seismic fight against his antagonistic foe in front of more than 57,000 fans – as well as the Australia vs New Zealand narrative – proved too much, and the defending champion was unusually reckless as he was outfought by Nigerian-born Adesanya.
Whittaker has fought and won three times since then, navigating a tough route back to Adesanya, who has competed four times since beating the “Reaper”. While Whittaker recorded impressive wins against Darren Till, Jared Cannonier and Kelvin Gastelum, there were three successful title defences for Adesanya – against Yoel Romero, Paulo Costa and Marvin Vettori – though he suffered a first professional loss in unsuccessfully challenging for the light heavyweight belt last year. Finally, Adesanya and Whittaker rematch at UFC 271 in Houston, Texas tonight, where Derrick Lewis competes in front of a home crowd in his co-main event against fellow heavyweight Tai Tuivasa.
There is also a meeting between middleweight contenders Cannonier and Derek Brunson, with the winner of that contest potentially next for the victor of the main event.
Re-live all the action from UFC 271, below.
UFC 271: Adesanya def. Whittaker
It was the contest many expected. It was the result many foresaw, too – but it arguably shouldn’t have been.
Following Adesanya’s TKO victory over an out-of-sorts Whittaker in 2019, most fans and pundits expected a much more competitive bout between the rivals this Saturday, with the former champion ready to tap into his calmer mindset and honed wrestling skills to – most likely – take the “Last Stylebender” the distance, if nothing more.
The most common prediction was that Adesanya would still emerge victorious, but that is where things get complicated. Because yes, Whittaker did take Adesanya the distance, and yes, Adesanya did emerge victorious; but whether the champion actually did enough to legitimately fulfil that latter prophecy is up for debate.
Full UFC 271 main-event report:
Israel Adesanya overcomes rival Robert Whittaker again with narrow decision win
The middleweight champion retained his belt against the man he dethroned in 2019
UFC 271: Adesanya def. Whittaker
Adesanya vs Cannonier next, then?
Where does Whittaker go from here?
UFC 271: Adesanya def. Whittaker
“I was surprised by the decision!” Whittaker laughs. “I’m not gonna take anything away from him.
“We’re the two best in the world. I know this. He knows this. We know this.”
“I know I started off rocky, but I felt I took every round after that,” Whittaker says.
“Don’t leave it to the judges. I’m happy that I fought my heart out. I’m gutted.”
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