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
Jared Cannonier def. Derek Brunson via second-round KO (elbows, 4:29).
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Great finishing sequence from Cannonier – there was even a back fist in there. The towel actually came in as Cannonier knocked out Brunson.
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Great finishing sequence from Cannonier – there was even a back fist in there. The towel actually came in as Cannonier knocked out Brunson.
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Cannonier vs Brunson – Round 2
Cannonier is starting to connect with punches. He fends off a takedown attempt.
Slick counter right hook from Cannonier! Now an uppercut.
He switches stances back and forth and lands a straight right. Brunson charges in for a takedown attempt but eats an elbow!
Now Cannonier has Brunson badly hurt! Brunson falls to the canvas and Cannonier FINISHES HIM with big elbows!
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Cannonier vs Brunson – Round 2
That might have just about been a 10-8 round in Brunson’s favour.
An early single-leg takedown by Brunson in the second round! He’s in half-guard already.
Effective scramble by Cannonier, though, and he’s up to his feet again.
Brunson is moving very slowly now and leaning in, leaving lots of openings.
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Cannonier vs Brunson – Round 1
Brunson forces Cannonier back to the fence, but – again – he can’t keep him there for very long.
Good left overhand from Brunson! He feints for another then tries for a double-leg. He fails, but secures the next one and moves straight into half-guard... and then mount!
Brunson gives up the position and creates a little space, which Cannonier exploits to stand up.
OH! Brunson drops Cannonier with a counter right hook and follows him to the mat, quickly locking in a rear naked choke!
Cannonier survives until the buzzer!
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Cannonier vs Brunson – Round 1
Here we go! No3 Cannonier vs No4 Brunson. Both men are in their late 30s.
It’s not long before Brunson goes for a takedown; Cannonier responds to the double-leg attempt with elbows to Brunson’s head.
Brunson switches to a single-leg attempt and gets Cannonier down! He can’t keep his fellow American down for long, though.
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Brunson’s most recent outing came against Darren Till in September, with the American submitting the Liverpudlian in the third round.
Meanwhile, Cannonier – also American – bounced back from his loss to Whittaker by outpointing Kelvin Gastelum last time out, in August.
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Since losing to Adesanya, Brunson has won five in a row.
Cannonier, meanwhile, is 4-1 since dropping down to middleweight – with that sole loss coming against Whittaker, two fights ago.
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
If Whittaker takes the middleweight belt back from Adesanya tonight, a trilogy bout between the pair is expected to follow.
But if Adesanya retains the gold in this evening’s main event, he’ll likely next defend it against the winner of this bout.
Adesanya stopped Brunson in 2018 but has never fought Cannonier.
For what it’s worth, Whittaker has a stoppage win over Brunson and outpointed Cannonier in 2020.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments