Israel Adesanya retained his UFC middleweight title after a unanimous decision win against Robert Whittaker on Saturday night at Toyota Center.
Adesanya started off red hot, buzzing Whittaker with stinging shots and scoring a knockdown in the first round.
The opening frame left Whittaker looking rattled on his stool in the corner before Round 2. Still, Whittaker showed the heart adjusting and mixing in wrestling to keep every remaining round competitive.
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It was the lightning-fast striking and technique of Adesanya that ruled the day, allowing him to do just enough behind jabs and heavy leg kicks to pile up points and take the decision by scores of 48-47, 48-47 and 49-46.
“I knew he was going to bring everything because last time I took everything away from him,” Adesanya said after the win. “He had nothing to lose. But, like I said, I’m the champ, you have to come and get it.”
The win over Whittaker was Adesanya’s fourth defense of the middleweight championship since winning the belt in the first meeting with Whittaker.
For Whittaker, who had a three-fight winning streak snapped, the loss was a tough pill to swallow.
“Yeah, I did [think I won the fight],” Whittaker said. “I know I started off rocky in the first round but I felt like I took every one after that. It is what it is. Like they say, don’t leave it in the hands of the judges. I’m gutted. I’m gutted. I thought I did enough.”
Photo by mmafighting.com
