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
Here we go, as a nice appetiser to tonight’s main event, we have a middleweight clash between contenders Derek Brunson and Jared Cannonier!
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Renato Moicano def. Alexander Hernandez via second-round submission (read naked choke, 1:23).
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Hernandez vs Moicano – Round 2
Lead uppercut into a left straight from Moicano! Lovely.
Firm left hand from Hernandez, but Moicano replies with two right hands in a row!
Hernandez hits the canvas and Moicano goes straight for a rear naked choke! HERNANDEZ TAPS!
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Hernandez vs Moicano – Round 1
Hernandez does well to climb back to his feet, and now he comes at Moicano with straight punches.
Good head movement from Moicano to set up a counter straight of his own! It snaps back Hernandez’s head.
A close round. Moicano with the takedown, but great work from Hernandez to get back up and the American was the more successful fighter on the feet.
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Hernandez vs Moicano – Round 1
A lot of support for American Hernandez here. The fight gets under way...
Harsh inside leg kicks from Hernandez early on. He’s caught with a counter one-two, however, ending with a hook.
A heavy body kick lands for Hernandez before he stuffs a single-leg takedown. “Alex” chants from the crowd.
Moicano slips a one-two and grabs Hernandez, forcing him back to the fence. He’s just about able to take down Hernandez, though it might not be counted due to the lack of control time.
This one will count, though! Moicano straight into half-guard.
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
More lightweight action next! Former featherweight Renato Moicano takes on Alexander Hernandez.
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Bobby Green def. Nasrat Haqparast via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
Huge reaction for Green in Houston! More “Bobby” chants, and he looks almost tearful.
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Green vs Haqparast – Round 3
Green is doing such a good job at staying out of range when Haqparast throws.
He’s surely heading for a unanimous-decision win (odd scorecards aside, and there have been one or two tonight...).
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Green vs Haqparast – Round 3
Green rolls under a wild left hand from Haqparast. The “Bobby” chants resume.
Green starts to land more jabs and straight lefts from a southpaw stance. Haqparast lands a big shot, but Green mocks him.
Heavy land to the body from Green now.
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Green vs Haqparast – Round 2
Green’s jabs have bloodied Haqparast’s nose badly. The German is really struggling to find a way past these strikes and is getting frustrated.
Green is perhaps starting to get a bit complacent now as the round nears its conclusion, though. He talks to Haqparast in any case and lands a series of straight shots.
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