Israel "The Last Stylebender" Adesanya Gets The Decision Over Robert Whittaker In Tonight's Main Event
Israel Adesanya proved that he is who we thought he was tonight.
Although he didn't get a big finish over Robert Whittaker like he did in their first fight, he displayed some masterful composure, great tact, beautiful footwork, expert striking, and a brilliant gameplan over the course of this 25-minute main event to get the decision win. Bobby Knuckles put on a hell of a performance himself, dragging Adesanya to the ground a few times and even taking his back twice, but "The Last Stylebender" showed super impressive defense in that realm as well. He just keeps getting better.
Oh, and at one point Jon Anik mentioned that Joe Rogan (who was pulled from this card due to a mysterious "scheduling conflict" last minute) texted him about Izzy's right hand possibly being hurt, which only added to the absurdity of there being a "scheduling conflict" tonight. I think it's safe to say that ESPN pulled him from the broadcast, because as I said earlier today, there's NO CHANCE that Dana White made the call to remove him.
Adesanya said his hand is fine in the post-fight interview with Daniel Cormier, and called out a very deserving contender in Jared Cannonier for his next title defense, stating that he'd be ready in June....
....and that is absolutely a fight I want to see, even more-so after Cannonier embedded Brunson's skull into the octagon tonight....
UFC 271 was one hell of a card for the Dana White and the UFC - excitement from top-to-bottom and plenty of emerging superstars here. Gotta love it.
P.S. Chimaev is just permanently lurking in the shadows now….
