UFC 271 - Israel Adesanya v Robert Whitaker

The Rematch - The Last Stylebender v Robert Whittaker

If you haven't yet watched #UFC271 then have a watch of this video which shows the whole main card at UFC 271, all 3 hours of it, from BitChute.com. 

If you just want to watch the headline fight between middleweights Israel Adesanya and Robert Whitaker then scroll to the time 2.15.00 on the video, to get to the start of the main event.

If you just want to watch the co-main event between heavyweights Derick Lewis and Tai Tuivasa then scroll to 1.47.00 to get to the start of that fight.

I am glad people are starting to put videos up on sites other than YouTube as they get taken down so quickly from that Google-owned streaming site, and for some reason, BT is not putting up the full fight as they used to, even a whole week later. So watch it whilst you can!

UFC 271 - Main Card

Israel Adesanya v Robert Whitaker (fight 2)

After Israel stole Robert's middleweight belt down under he had been on a roll in the UFC undefeated at this weight class. 

Izzy did try to go up a division and fight Jan Blachowicz at light heavyweight. However, Israel didn't seem to put much weight on, what is a very thin-framed spindly body, and the heavier fighter won, giving Israel his first loss (20,1) in the UFC.

I thought that maybe this loss might have got into Israel's headspace, having never lost and thinking you are invincible, to only get beaten, it must come as a shock to the system, and who knows what effect it had on him.

It certainly got the attention of Jon Jones who called out Adesanya after the loss and shut down any talk of a fight between the two saying “Yeah never mind, that’s not even worth my time” on Twitter.

Israel Adesanya v Robert Whitaker - UFC 271

However, whatever effect the loss had on his state of mind, Israel Adesanya still managed to come out on top against rival Robert Whittaker at UFC 271. 

The duo fought out a tightly contested five-rounder at #UFC271 with the Last Stylebender securing a narrow win on points. 

Robert actually thought he had done enough to win and was obviously disappointed with the result, but to gain the crown he really had to do more than he did. 

He was the only one of the two who got knocked to the floor in round one, and he didn't manage to cut Israel's face up at all. In fact, quite amazingly Israel was still breathing through his nose and looking unfazed and undazed at the end of round 5.

One good thing though was to see the two congratulate each other and shake hands after the fight. Unlike their first battle, there was little bad mouthing in the run-up and Israel commended Robert on taking time out after his loss and training differently for their re-match, with Robert complimenting Israel as well for having the belt. There were no Conor McGregor like slurs in the build-up to this re-match, unlike their first fight.

Personally, I thought the fight was a bit boring, Israel was very composed, kept out of Robert's range, and managed to defend all of his take-down attempts. Israel kept Robert at bay with kicks and his longer reaching jab that got through Whitaker's guard multiple times. 

Robert did attempt a number of take-down attempts but Israel managed to defend them all successfully and there seemed no danger of him getting caught up in some sort of BJJ trap on the floor.

To be honest, compared to their first fight it was a bit of a letdown and it went the whole way, all 5 rounds, and Israel won narrowly on points.

Israel Adesanya v Robert Whitaker - Fight Highlights

You can watch the official highlights below if you don't want to watch the full fight on the video at the top of the page. If you do, scroll to the time 2.15.00 to get to the start of their fight.

BT used to put up the full fight after a week on YouTube, but now all you get are the highlights or someones phone's video from the back of the arena. Why they have changed this I have no idea, but trust me the highlights are all you need to see as there wasn't much exciting action in the bits they don't show.

Derrick Lewis v Tai Tuivasa UFC 271

The co-main event was a heavyweight battle between Derrick Lewis and Tai Tuivasa and to me, this was a much more exciting fight to watch.

There is just something about two heavyweights, belly's out, kicking, and windmilling toe to toe that gives it that edge. With the chance of KO at any time when two men of this size go punch for punch as if boozy Brits outside a pub at closing time.

It was a shock result for me, as I had money on a double for Derick and Israel to both win, but during one tussle Tai managed to elbow Derick in the head and the force was so much it put him to the floor, the ref stepped in and that was game over, shock for the crowd but it was a real slugfest and great to watch.

Full Fight - Derick Lewis v Tai Tuivasa UFC 271

I don't know how long this video will be up for as it's shot from the crowd but it shows you the full fight. So if you want more than the official highlights have a watch. Or watch the main video at the top of the page for the whole card. If you want just the Derick Lewis v Tai Tuivasa fight then scroll to 1.47.00 in that video.

However if this video is taken down, which I fully expect these days, then you can watch the official highlights below from BT. Hopefully, they will get back to putting the full fight up online after a week. If they do I will replace it.

I hope you manage to enjoy the fight from one of these videos, and please let me know in the comments what you thought of the headline event between Israel Adesanya v Robert Whitaker, as well as the Derick Lewis v Tai Tuivasa fight. 

So many questions to be answered which you can answer in the comments section.

Will Robert Whitaker ever get to re-gain his middleweight title from Israel Adesanya?

How long can Israel Adesanya go on in the middleweight division without a loss?

Also if The Last Stylebender does get bored with the division, will he want to go up to light heavyweight again?

One thing is for sure, if Izzy does get bored and wanted to go up to light heavyweight again he would surely need to eat a few pies and get some weight on that lean frame of his, otherwise, it will be Jan Blachowicz all over again.