Israel Adesanya Stopped Robert Whittaker In The Second Round And Become Undisputed 185-Pound Champ
In the main event of UFC 243 PPV (pay-per-view), Robert “The Reaper” Whittaker will try to defend his UFC 185-pound title against an undefeated UFC interim middleweight champion, Nigerian-born New Zealander Israel “The Last Stylebender” Adesanya. The bout takes place live now (Saturday, October 5, 2019) from inside Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Israel Adesanya exits first, he is in the gray trunks. Whittaker is in the black trunks. The referee in charge of this contest is Marc Goddard. We’re underway!
Round 1
Fighters are on distance, Whittaker attacks with a left hook. Sidekick to the knee, countered by a low kick to the body. Whittaker to the body, Adesanya escapes. Adesanya has a huge reach advantage.
Whittaker goes forward over and over, shortening the distance. Big blows by Whittaker from the clinch, Adesanya survives and escapes. 1-2 Robert. Left hook missed by a hair.
Overhand right, is Adesanya wobbled? No! Israel jabs miss. Whittaker misses with 1-2. Jab to the body Israel, high kick missed by Robert. Sidekick to the knee.
Fighters in the clinch, but they separate. It’s an eye gauge, Marc Goddard restarts the match. Low kick Robert, good punching on both sides. Punch to the midsection followed by a punch to the head.
Whittaker lands a big low kick. High kick Israel. And another one, superb Taekwondo counter, good block by Whittaker. Overhand right just missed. High kick Whittaker, Adesanya moves his head in the style of a Taekwondo champ!!!
Few more blows on both sides. A strong kick to the legs Robert.
Big overhand right Whittaker, but Adesanya counters him with a big right uppercut and sends him to the canvas!!!
The end of the round, saved by the bell. I am unsure who won this round though, but let’s say 10-9 Israel!
Round 2
Whittaker looks shaken. Wow, super-fast punch combo by Whittaker. But Robert countered him with a big left. Few punches on both sides, but not a single big blow. Overhand right Whittaker.
Adesanya ducks to the left and scores with a hook to the face. High kick Adesanya, it hits Whittaker’s glove, and it turns into a wild brawl. Adesanya attacks to the body. Wow, three quick punches by Robert, it was awesome.
1-2 Adesanya, Whittaker lands a right hand. Low kick. Big left hand. Wait, is Whittaker bleeding?!
Left hook Adesanya, high kick Whittaker. Wow, Adesanya escaped a knockout kick to the head, it was close. Adesanya with a low kick. And again Adesanya rocks him with a big right hand and hits him with a left hand. He is pouring big shots on the ground!!!
The fight is over, Marc Goddard waves off and jumps in to protect Whittaker!!!!!!! We’ve got a new division champ!!!!
Final Result: Israel Adesanya defeats Robert Whittaker (KO, right hand to the face, 3:33, round 2)
Check the highlights:
HUGE KNOCKDOWN TO FINISH THE ROUND! 😱@Stylebender with a game changer as we close Round 1️⃣!#UFC243 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/WmwyBPki6I
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) October 6, 2019
WE HAVE A NEW UNDISPUTED KING AT 1️⃣8️⃣5️⃣!@Stylebender closes the show on The Reaper in the second to unify the championships! 🏆#UFC243 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/BAvIdlNfpl
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) October 6, 2019
Undefeated. Undisputed. 🏆@stylebender #UFC243 pic.twitter.com/kirjD28CJq
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 6, 2019
#AndNew middleweight champion of the world | 🇳🇬 🇳🇿 @Stylebender | B2YB ROAR Sports pic.twitter.com/ndg7dx4aNU
— UFC (@ufc) October 6, 2019
Robert Whittaker drops to 20-5 MMA, 11-3 UFC, Israel Adesanya improves the result to 18-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC.
