#ufc271

[theanticool]

Israel Adesanya takes UD over Robert Whittaker in rematch.

Could have honestly been anything between 3-2 Adesanya and 3-2 Whittaker but it honestly never felt like a fight that got away from Adesanya. Also is wasn’t very good.

I think Whittaker realized that Izzy can only really counter the right hand so if he stopped throwing it, he didn’t have to worry about return fire. And it’s true because Adesanya proceeded to never counter Whittaker ever again after the first round knockdown. Lots of kicks. Some jab-hooks, but we never saw anything like the big hook he landed in the first fight to put him down. From Whittaker, we got a much more jab, jab-hook oriented game with him pumping them out there before circling off the fence numerous times. Like all of Adesanya’s previous opponents, he opted out of the body shots in favor of throwing upstairs. He also managed to work more of his wrestling into it. Got Izzy down four times and took his back twice. Wasn’t enough for the judges but was a much more competitive fight overall.

I guess we’re on to Cannonier-Adesanya.

[theanticool]

Tonight

Who ya taking?

[theanticool]

“King” Casey O'Neill takes the split decision over Roxanne Modafferi

In a war of attrition. Roxy doesn’t win in her final fight but she does push O’Neill to the only decision of her UFC career thus far. O’Neill won every round of the fight. Not sure how two judges only had it 2-1 for her or how one judge scored it for Roxy. Roxy is just other worldly tough. Marched forward for 15 minutes despite eating big shots from O’Neill. 

As for O’Neill, I think this exposes that she needs to do more work. She landed at an insane clip in this fight but she also ate a LOT of shots. Got bruised up and bloodied against a Modafferi that is not a good striker. She keeps her head on the center line a lot, throws a lot of arm shots (despite having power when she gets proper transfer), and her wrestling isn’t reflective of how good her actual mat game is. Also, I know they were hyping up her speed but she’s not really that fast. Lots of labored shots. Lots to work on. But 4-0 start to her career ain’t bad. Would love to see her fight a Gillian Robertson or Maycee Barber.

Props to Roxy on a long, hard fought career. A pioneer for women in the sport. And all around cool person. Cheers.

[theanticool]

Renato Moicano submits Alexander Hernandez in the 2nd!

Great finish there to a good fight. Back and forth first as Moicano was sharp and able to land a couple of big takedowns. But it looked like he was slowing down as he got to the end of the round and Hernandez started taking over. Moicano realized that Hernandez was vulnerable off those clinch breaks and off his jab. Ducked under that jab, attacked the body and then came upstairs and rocked Hernandez. Also might have landed the accidental headbutt when he came back upstairs. Followed him back to the fence and got to his back and got the choke.

[theanticool]

Jared Cannonier stops Derek Brunson in the 2nd.

Gross. Anyway, Brunson came out with the right plan. Stick to the wrestling. Keep the pace high and don’t give Cannonier time to plant his feet and counter. Problem is Brunson could not keep the pace. Unlike Shahbazian, Cannonier is actually a pretty good defensive wrestler and is brick house strong. Plus he’s got an engine. So those tie ups that Brunson pushed for started working against him. Cannonier managed to create enough space and cracked Brunson. From there it was a rather quick fall for Derek as he skated around before Cannonier caught him again and finished him on the ground.

[theanticool]

Andrei Arlovski wins another split decision over a heavyweight.

Long live Arlovski fights where nothing happens.

[theanticool]

Tai Tuivasa KOs Derrick Lewis in the 2nd round!

Lewis was fighting a great fight until Tai Tuivasa decided it was time to just plant and throw. For what it is worth, I think Lewis is better at the type of fight that Tuivasa likes to have but it didn’t matter in the end because Tuivasa landed the big one first. Lewis got off to a solid first round. Both guys were trying to find their preferred clinch position but Lewis managed to land a slick inside trip that took Tuivasa down. While he didn’t stay down, Lewis tagged him hard 4 or 5 times. Lewis would take him down again before the end of the round. He also rocked Tuivasa in the 2nd as they started to exchange but Tuivasa sold out hard on a right hand that staggered Lewis. As Lewis was stumbling around, Tuivasa landed a huge elbow that put Lewis out cold and won him the fight. Good on Tuivasa for not throwing the follow up blows when he realized Lewis was done.

[theanticool]

2-0 Izzy but clearly the best round Whittaker has had in there with him. Got the takedown. Jab was landing when they came together. Izzy still landing to the legs with those kicks. And hard.

Still needs to find the body or the legs of Izzy.