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 vs Whittaker
Lewis vs Tuivasa – Round 1
Another takedown for Lewis, who this time flings Tuivasa to the mat.
Tuivasa again gets back to his feet, but he’s surely surrendered that round to Lewis.
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Lewis vs Tuivasa – Round 1
Tuivasa blocks a high kick. Lewis eats a leg kick and slips, before throwing a huge right hook that misses.
It does get Lewis in close, though, and now he has Tuivasa against the fence. He’s trying for a single-leg takedown!
Tuivasa defends well and reverses the position. BIG TRIP from Lewis, though!
The American is in half-guard. Tuivasa begins to stand but is getting hit with HUGE right hands!
The Australian manages to survive and circle away!
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Lewis vs Tuivasa – Round 1
Lots of feints from Tuivasa early on. He lands an outside leg kick.
Tuivasa rolls under a hook and clinches Lewis, pushing him against the fence. Boos from the Houston crowd.
The pair are separated by referee Dan Miragliotta for a lack of action.
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Here we go! Surely someone is getting knocked out here...
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Lewis’s last fight in Houston was last August, when he was stopped by Ciryl Gane with the interim heavyweight title on the line.
Lewis confessed afterwards that he hated the pressure of fighting in front of a hometown crowd, but he seems more relaxed this week.
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Here comes Lewis, who fights out of Houston and has more UFC knockouts than any other fighter in the promotion’s history.
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Tuivasa is probably going to have fun in the Octagon tonight no matter what happens.
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Tuivasa walks out to “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper. Great song.
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Everybody is expecting another finish here...
We have a heavyweight match-up between hometown favourite Derrick Lewis and Australia’s Tai Tuivasa.
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Cannonier gets Dana White’s attention and demands that the UFC president gives him the next middleweight title shot.
That depends on whether Adesanya retains tonight, you’d have to think...
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