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UFC 243: Israel Adesanya dominates Robert Whittaker to become Middleweight Champion

Perhaps it was the layoff by the now former champion that led to his demise. Or perhaps we witnessed Israel Adesanya fulfill his destiny. At UFC 243 in Melbourne, Australia. “The Last Stlebender” defeated Robert Whittaker to become the undisputed UFC Middleweight Champion.

In front of 57,127 fans, a record for the UFC, two different styles clashed. From the entrances to the action, Adesanya (18-0) can be officially looked at like a true star.

The opening round saw Whittaker (20-5) play the aggressor, attempting to strike down Adesanya right away. Israel, however, was almost machine-like, calculating every move Robert made and used his momentum against him. It wasn’t that Whittaker was slow, he was just tiring himself out early.

Whittaker was literally saved by the bell, as Adesanya dropped him right before the first round ended. Adesanya hesitated for a brief moment, and before he could do anything else he was told to go to his corner.

The second round saw more of the same, as Israel countered all of Whittaker’s offense and created his own momentum. As Whittaker rushed in, Adesanya landed two hooks that burrowed into the skull of the former. Whittaker landed on top of the mat and it was all over from there.

“I was in the nose bleeds. And now? I made his nose bleed,” Adesanya stated after the fight.

For Adesanya, that was his seventh win in the UFC. A dominant kickboxer at one point, Israel’s transition to the MMA world is something unheard of. As for Whittaker, he hasn’t fought in a year, mainly due to multiple injuries. His recent contests were back-to-back bouts against Yoel Romero.

The UFC has a true star on their hands in Adesanya. What’s next for the new champion? He is hoping for a bout against Paulo Costa to continue his dominance in the middleweight division.

Then again, Jon Jones is always right around the corner.

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Baseball Editor, Misc. Sports Editor. Covers all things combat sports (MMA, Pro Wrestling and Boxing). When he's not writing, Daniel hosts a podcast, The Main Event.
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