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
Arlovski vs Vanderaa – Round 1
Again, Arlovski just slips an uppercut. Vanderaa checks a leg kick.
Arlovski is up against the fence and Vanderaa’s corner are happy with that. Their fighter then clinches and starts to look for a trip.
Arlovski creates space and gets back into the open. He comes forward with a combination, with mixed success. The ex-champion looks a little vulnerable when he throws these combos.
He lands a firm right overhand, though! A fine end to a promising first round by Arlovski.
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Arlovski vs Vanderaa – Round 1
Arlovski misses with a couple of jabs but finds a home for the subsequent right straight!
He then throws a left high kick but telegraphs it slightly, and Vanderaa is able to block.
Lots of feints from Vanderaa before he misses with a one-two up top. Arlovski then lands a left hook, but it doesn’t trouble Vanderaa too much.
Vanderaa barely misses with an uppercut now. Good body kick from Arlovski.
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Next up, heavyweight action! Former champion Andrei Arlovski takes on Jared Vanderaa.
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Without wanting to take anything away from Modafferi and her efforts tonight, that should not have been a split decision.
The second-biggest strike differential in a women’s flyweight fight in UFC history...
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Casey O’Neill def. Roxanne Modafferi via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
Modafferi: “I’m okay with that last fight, I gave it everything I had. It’s time for me to pass the torch to the next generation.
“Even if you don’t win every fight, you can still have a great time and a life journey.”
The “Happy Warrior” signs off on her MMA career.
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Modafferi vs O’Neill – Round 3
O’Neill lands another front kick to the face!
Inside leg kick from O’Neill then a one-two up top. Slick stuff.
Modafferi sees a takedown stuffed but then catches a kick and takes her opponent to the mat!
Against the fence, O’Neill is quick to get back to her feet, but Modafferi is throwing knees to the body as the clock ticks towards the conclusion of this bout.
She can’t get another takedown, however. We’ll go to the judges’ scorecards.
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Modafferi vs O’Neill – Round 3
Here we go, the last round of Modafferi’s career. A huge ovation for the American.
She just slips a left high kick then storms forward with straight punches. O’Neill catches a knee to the body.
O’Neill is now tagging Modafferi heavily whenever her opponent enters. Modafferi is so tough.
It seems O’Neill just broke the record for most significant strikes landed in a women’s flyweight fight in the UFC.
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Modafferi vs O’Neill – Round 2
More of the same in this round, with O’Neill landing the heavier punches but Modafferi getting through with jabs intermittently.
O’Neill is picking up the pace now; she’s already overtaken her previous personal best for significant strikes in a UFC fight.
Modafferi could do with taking this fight to the canvas but seemingly has no interest in doing so. Big front kick to the face from O’Neill! She leads Modafferi 122-54 in significant strikes.
Modafferi gets the takedown late in the round! Now she knows for sure that it’s there.
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Modafferi vs O’Neill – Round 1
The women trade stinging left hands late in the round, and immediately Modafferi paws at her face.
O’Neill is starting to develop a black eye, though!
UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker
Modafferi vs O’Neill – Round 1
O’Neill is undefeated and has gone 3-0 in the UFC, with stoppages in each of her wins in the promotion.
Modafferi on the front foot early on, throwing neat counter jabs. O’Neill fires back with some firm punches, however.
Well-timed jab from Modafferi, then a right overhand. More jabs, but O’Neill finds her range with a right straight.
Both women’s noses are bloodied already. O’Neill comes forward with less tidy punches now and misses with all of them.
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