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
Round 5
More good takedown defence from Adesanya, and we’ll go to the judges’ scorecards.
The rivals hug! Adesanya raises Whittaker’s hand. Whittaker roars.
A tense, competitive fight. This could go either way.
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Round 5
Another takedown for Whittaker! Adesanya reacts well to get to his feet quickly, as he has on most occasions tonight.
Big left hand off the break by Whittaker! It’s worth saying, the UFC commentary team believe the rounds have been close but that Adesanya has won them all. Honestly, Whittaker might have actually won every round since the first. They’ve been that close.
Adesanya defends another takedown, but it’s good stuff from Whittaker still.
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Round 5
Hard leg kick by Adesanya again after a nice jab from Whittaker.
Body kick by Adesanya with Whittaker against the fence. Stern jab by Whittaker.
Single-leg attempt by Whittaker, but Adesanya fends it off. Clean right hand from Whittaker.
We have a brief pause for an accidental eye poke by Adesanya.
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Whittaker’s corner tell him he’s giving up points. I’m not sure. This one really could be going either way. It could be 4-0 to Adesanya or 3-1 to Whittaker honestly.
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Round 4
Adesanya does well to shake off Whittaker, and the pair are back in the open.
Another well-timed jab by the Australian. He evades a head kick. “Bobby” chants now...
Again Whittaker dodges a head kick, but a leg kick lands for the champion.
Adesanya backs up Whittaker now. The challenger clinches against the fence.
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Round 4
Into the championship rounds.
Firm jab by Whittaker. Low kick by the challenger. Whittaker blocks a body kick.
Damaging outside leg kick by Adesanya, then a knee in close. Whittaker responds with another nice jab on the angle.
Whittaker rolls under a punch and lands another takedown! He jumps onto Adesanya’s back and looks for a choke...
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Round 3
Adesanya defends a takedown attempt and lands a knee in close.
Head kick by Adesanya grazes Whittaker, who catches his opponent and takes him down! Big moment.
Adesanya is back on his feet but is driven to the fence. He gets free once more.
Hard leg kick by Adesanya. He stumbles back after a jab from Whittaker.
This is another very close round. It could be 3-0 to Adesanya, 2-1 to him, or 2-1 to Whittaker...
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Round 3
You could see Whittaker’s confidence growing as the round progressed, but he was still reacting in stark fashion to most of what Adesanya did.
Whittaker leans back to evade a head kick. He’s on the back foot. Adesanya throws a leg kick but is knocked back by a jab at the same time!
Stiff jab from Whittaker, but Adesanya responds at once with a hard hook.
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Round 2
Adesanya is quickly back to his feet, but he’s still being held against the fence. He eventually frees himself.
Big reactions from Whittaker whenever Adesanya feints or throws.
Whittaker blocks a high kick but eats an outside leg kick. A better round by Whittaker, but still close. Hard to judge.
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Round 2
Whittaker looks pretty defeated in the corner... He said the leg kicks were hurting, I think.
Whittaker is taking more chances on the feet now, double-jabs into right hands, but Adesanya is reading them well – as he did in the first fight.
Stern jab by Whittaker. That’s better from the challenger. And another on the counter!
Hard inside leg kick from Adesanya. Now Whittaker gets a huge double-leg takedown!
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