UFC star Israel Adesanya has beaten former champion Robert Whittaker via unanimous decision to retain the middleweight championship at UFC 271 in Houston, Texas.
Israel Adesanya poses after his unanimous decision victory over Robert Whitakker on at UFC 271 in Houston, Texas. Photo: Photosport
The closely-fought win over his Australian rival represents Adesanya's fourth succesful title defence in the promotion.
The reigning champion's victory brought Whittaker's three wight win streak to an end while extending Adesanya's middelweight record to 22 wins and zero losses.
In 2019 Adesanya knocked Whittaker out in the second round in front of a hostile Australian crowd, to claim his undisputed championship title.
"I knew he was going to bring everything, because he has nothing to lose," Adesanya said. "I'm the champ, if you want it come get it."
Since the pair last met, Whittaker had gone on an impressive three fight win streak, while Adesanya had comfortably defended his belt three times, with his only UFC loss coming from a step up in weight-class to take on the light-heavyweight champion at the time, Jan Blachowicz.
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