Israel Adesanya outstrikes Robert Whittaker to retain title at UFC 271

"I’m the champ. You want it, come get it!"

Israel Adesanya contested Robert Whittaker to a decision win at UFC 271 in Houston, Texas. This rematch was a chess match in comparison to their first fight. The Nigerian-born middleweight from New Zealand beat Whittaker for a second time, the first being in 2019, with a second-round knockout in Australia to take the title off Whittaker. The final scorecard read 49-46, 48-47, and 48-47 as Adesanya defended his title for the 4th time.

Israel Adesanya reflected on his victory at UFC 271.

Adesanya discussed his performance after the main event. “I knew he was going to bring everything cause last time I took everything away from him,” Adesanya stated. “So he had nothing to lose. Like I said, I’m the champ. You want it, come get it!” “I knew he was going to try and copy Jan (Blachowicz’s) homework,” Adesanya said about Whittaker’s takedowns. “But I’m the big dog in this yard so he couldn’t take me down at all.” https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1492741665525841921

Robert Whittaker commented after defeat at UFC 271.

The Australian felt the judges should have given him the victory.

“I know I started off rocky in that first round but I feel like I took every round after that,” the former Middleweight Champion said. “What do they say? Don’t leave it to the judges. I’m happy that I fought my heart out. I’m gutted. I thought I did enough, I thought I took that."

“I was surprised with the decision. It is what it is. I’m not going to take anything away from him. He’s the champ. He beat me for the second time. We’re the two best in the world, I know this, he knows this. We know this.”

Izzy's next UFC title defense.

Prior to the fight; Adesanya highlighted his desire to fight three times this year, after putting pen to paper to a new lucrative UFC contract. “I know June doesn’t have a pay-per-view yet but I’m the big dog in the yard now and I know the other dog Jared Cannonier just did some work tonight,” Adesanya said. “So yeah, I’m pissing in this cage next time in June. Watch me.”