Israel Adesanya dances throughout his walkout at UFC 243
Practically two-and-a-half years after they first clashed within the Octagon, Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker will go head-to-head for the UFC middleweight title once more this night.
In October 2019, Adesanya’s meteoric rise by means of the 185lbs division culminated within the then-interim champion’s victory over Whittaker in Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium, as the most important crowd in UFC historical past watched their dwelling fighter get knocked out within the second spherical to give up his belt. For Whittaker, the stress of a seismic battle in opposition to his antagonistic foe in entrance of greater than 57,000 followers – in addition to the Australia vs New Zealand narrative – proved an excessive amount of, and the defending champion was unusually reckless as he was outfought by Nigerian-born Adesanya.
Whittaker has fought and received 3 times since then, navigating a troublesome route again to Adesanya, who has competed 4 occasions since beating the “Reaper”. Whereas Whittaker recorded spectacular wins in opposition to Darren Until, Jared Cannonier and Kelvin Gastelum, there have been three profitable title defences for Adesanya – in opposition to Yoel Romero, Paulo Costa and Marvin Vettori – although he suffered a primary skilled loss in unsuccessfully difficult for the sunshine heavyweight belt final yr. Lastly, Adesanya and Whittaker rematch at UFC 271 in Houston, Texas tonight, the place Derrick Lewis competes in entrance of a house crowd in his co-main occasion in opposition to fellow heavyweight Tai Tuivasa.
There may be additionally a gathering between middleweight contenders Cannonier and Derek Brunson, with the winner of that contest probably subsequent for the victor of the primary occasion.
Comply with stay updates and battle outcomes from UFC 271, beneath.
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
With out desirous to take something away from Modafferi and her efforts tonight, that ought to not have been a cut up resolution.
The second-biggest strike differential in a ladies’s flyweight battle in UFC historical past…
Alex Pattle13 February 2022 02:34
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Casey O’Neill def. Roxanne Modafferi by way of cut up resolution (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
Modafferi: “I’m okay with that final battle, I gave it every thing I had. It’s time for me to move the torch to the following era.
“Even if you happen to don’t win each battle, you’ll be able to nonetheless have a good time and a life journey.”
The “Completely happy Warrior” indicators off on her MMA profession.
Alex Pattle13 February 2022 02:32
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Modafferi vs O’Neill – Spherical 3
O’Neill lands one other entrance kick to the face!
Inside leg kick from O’Neill then a one-two up high. Slick stuff.
Modafferi sees a takedown stuffed however then catches a kick and takes her opponent to the mat!
Towards the fence, O’Neill is fast to get again to her ft, however Modafferi is throwing knees to the physique because the clock ticks in the direction of the conclusion of this bout.
She will’t get one other takedown, nonetheless. We’ll go to the judges’ scorecards.
Alex Pattle13 February 2022 02:27
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Modafferi vs O’Neill – Spherical 3
Right here we go, the final spherical of Modafferi’s profession. An enormous ovation for the American.
She simply slips a left excessive kick then storms ahead with straight punches. O’Neill catches a knee to the physique.
O’Neill is now tagging Modafferi closely each time her opponent enters. Modafferi is so powerful.
It appears O’Neill simply broke the report for most important strikes landed in a ladies’s flyweight battle within the UFC.
Alex Pattle13 February 2022 02:25
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Modafferi vs O’Neill – Spherical 2
Extra of the identical on this spherical, with O’Neill touchdown the heavier punches however Modafferi getting by means of with jabs intermittently.
O’Neill is selecting up the tempo now; she’s already overtaken her earlier private greatest for vital strikes in a UFC battle.
Modafferi may do with taking this battle to the canvas however seemingly has little interest in doing so. Large entrance kick to the face from O’Neill! She leads Modafferi 122-54 in vital strikes.
Modafferi will get the takedown late within the spherical! Now she is aware of for certain that it’s there.
Alex Pattle13 February 2022 02:21
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Modafferi vs O’Neill – Spherical 1
The ladies commerce stinging left arms late within the spherical, and instantly Modafferi paws at her face.
O’Neill is beginning to develop a black eye, although!
Alex Pattle13 February 2022 02:15
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Modafferi vs O’Neill – Spherical 1
O’Neill is undefeated and has gone 3-0 within the UFC, with stoppages in every of her wins within the promotion.
Modafferi on the entrance foot early on, throwing neat counter jabs. O’Neill fires again with some agency punches, nonetheless.
Properly-timed jab from Modafferi, then a proper overhand. Extra jabs, however O’Neill finds her vary with a proper straight.
Each ladies’s noses are bloodied already. O’Neill comes ahead with much less tidy punches now and misses with all of them.
Alex Pattle13 February 2022 02:14
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Subsequent up, Roxanne Modafferi vs Casey O’Neill at ladies’s flyweight.
That is fan favorite Modafferi’s remaining bout earlier than retiring.
Alex Pattle13 February 2022 02:10
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Kyler Phillips def. Marcelo Rojo by way of third-round submission (arm bar, 1:48).
Alex Pattle13 February 2022 01:59
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Phillips vs Rojo – Spherical 3
Phillips’ kicks seem to have performed extra harm; there may be critical swelling on Rojo’s left shin. His nook ice it forward of this remaining spherical. Former flyweight champion Brandon Moreno is amongst Rojo’s staff.
Rojo presses ahead early on this body regardless. He stuffs a takedown try, however Phillips retains working and will get it will definitely.
Philllips is in mount and in search of a triangle… he opts for an arm bar as an alternative and GETS THE SUBMISSION!
Alex Pattle13 February 2022 01:57
Kaynak: briturkish.com
