UFC 271 features a much-anticipated title rematch between two of the best middleweights of all time in Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker takes place in Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Adesanya and Whittaker first faced each other in the main event of UFC 243. The fight was competitive until Adesanya figured out the game plan and movements of Whittaker and knocked him down twice with beautiful counters. Adesanya secured a TKO finish in the second round to become the undisputed UFC middleweight champion.
Since then both Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya have decimated the middleweight division, winning three fights each. Israel Adesanya has beaten Paulo Costa, Yoel Romero, and Marvin Vettori. On the other hand, Whittaker had to overcome Darren Till, Jared Cannonier, and Kelvin Gastelum. Both fighters have improved a lot since their first encounter and the fans can expect an entirely different fight in the rematch at UFC 271.
Besides that, UFC 271 also features an exciting co-main event between Derrick Lewis and Tai Tuivasa, two of the biggest knockdown artists in the current heavyweight roster. In the feature fight, Derek Brunson will aim to secure the number one title contender spot in the middleweight division in his fight against Jared Cannonier.
Though fans are eagerly waiting for the stacked main card, the prelims and early prelims have not failed to entertain the fans so far. Let’s have a look at the fights that have taken place at UFC 271 so far.
UFC 271 Early Prelims Results:
William Knight vs Maxim Grishin:
Maxim Grishin wins the heavyweight fight by unanimous decision after Willia Knight’s botched weight cut for UFC 271. Knight missed the light heavyweight weight limit by 12 lbs.
Jeremiah Wells vs Blood Diamond:
In anticipated early prelims that featured the long-time teammate of Israel Adesanya, Jeremiah Wells comes out victorious with a first-round rear-naked choke.
Douglas Silva Andrade vs Sergey Morozov:
After a hard-fought first round, Silva bounced back in the second round with some powerful shots. Silva secured multiple knockdowns against Morozov and finished the fight by a rear-naked choke.
AJ Dobson vs Jacob Malkoun:
In this middleweight matchup, Jacob Malkoun fairly dominated AJ Dobson and picked up a comfortable decision win.
Mana Martinez vs Ronnie Lawrence:
This was one of the most exciting fights of the night. It was competitive until the bell and the third had the crowd on the edge of their seats. However, Lawrence secured a decision win.
UFC 271 Prelims Results
Carlos Ulberg vs Fabio Cherant:
Israel Adesanya’s teammate, Carlos Ulberg secured a comfortable decision win in his second UFC bout. Though Cherant’s power was a problem for Ulberg on a couple of occasions he did enough to win the fight at UFC 271.
Roxanne Modafferi vs Casey O’Neill:
In her final MMA fight, The Happy Fighter took on the up and comer in Casey O’Neill.
Though Casey O’Neill faced adversities she was able to secure a decision win at UFC 271. Not just that, but she broke records for the highest significant strikes in a three round women’s flyweight fight.
Andrei Arlovski vs Jared Vanderaa:
In this heavyweight bout, former heavyweight champion, Andrei Arlovski lost to Jared Vanderaa by unanimous decision. Though Arlovski had a lot of success in the first round Jared Vanderaa was the busier fighter in the second and third round, making sure he does enough to win the fight on the judges’ scorecard.
UFC 271 Main Card Results
Bobby Green vs Nasrat Harparast:
Bobby Green put on another amazing performance against Nasrat Haqparast in the main card of UFC 271.
Though Nasrat Haqparast had some success in the latter part of the second round and the final round, Green did enough damage to secure another decision win.
With wins over Al Iaquinta, and now against Haqparast, Bobby Green is slowly climbing the rankings in the lightweight division.
On the other hand, Haqparast has lost to Dan Hooker and Bobby Green in his last two fights.
Alexander Hernandez vs Renato Moicano:
Alexander Hernandez did have some success early on in the fight, but Moicano was able to secure a ear naked choke in the second round. With this win, Moicano is now on a two fight winning streak in the lightweight division.
Jared Cannonier vs Derek Brunson:
After a dominant first round, Derek Brunson found himself in trouble in the second round after Jared Cannonier hurt him with a vicious elbow in the clinch. Brunson slowed down significantly in the second round and Cannonier started landing his punches. In the end, Cannonier got Brunson hurt and finished him off with ground and pound to secure a TKO win.
Following the win, Cannonier sent a message to Dana White and ensured that he gets the next title shot in the middleweight division.
Derrick Lewis vs Tai Tuivasa:
After an exciting and competitive first round, Tai Tuivasa shocked the Houston crowd by knocking out Derrick Lewis in the second round.
Israel Adesanya vs Robert Whittaker:
Though the rematch was more competitive than the first encounter, Israel Adesanya was able to win the fight by split decision. Following fight, Robert Whittaker said he was surprised with the judges’ decision as he believes he won the last four rounds against Adesanya. What do you think about the judges’ decision in the main event?