UFC 243: Adesanya KOs Whittaker for Undisputed Crown
Less than two years after making his UFC debut, Israel Adesanya is the king of the UFC’s middleweight division.
.@Stylebender becomes the 11th undisputed @UFC Middleweight Champion after Menne, Bustamante, Tanner, Franklin, Silva, Weidman, Rockhold, Bisping, St-Pierre, and Robert Whittaker. #UFC243
UFC 243 Final Results: https://t.co/Dkfj4mTzhE pic.twitter.com/ae6lLz0B3I
— UFC News (@UFCNews) October 6, 2019
In the most anticipated event and fight in Oceanic MMA history, New Zealand’s Adesanya, entering as interim champion, defeated defending UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker of Australia in the main event of UFC 243 to unify the championship.
After they traded kicks to start the opening round, Whittaker fired just about everything he could. Every punch he threw seemed to be an overhand or haymaker, attempting to rock Adesanya and end his undefeated record early.
While he threw the most in the first frame, Adesanya landed the turning point of the fight before the horn, knocking Whittaker down with a right hand. Had it not been for that horn, Whittaker could have been finished then and there.
Adesanya drops Whittaker as the horn sounds in round 1! Wow! #UFC243 pic.twitter.com/lR0ss8amj8
— UFC (@ufc) October 6, 2019
Whittaker came out firing heavy in the second round again, but his punches were barely touching “The Last Stylebender.” Adesanya waited for his moment and traded well before delivering a right hand that dropped Whittaker again. After a couple of follow-ups, the bout was waved off.
Naija stand up! HE'S DONE IT!@Stylebender finishes Whittaker in the 2nd round! Wow! #UFC243 pic.twitter.com/IS1f8lL8Lt
— UFC (@ufc) October 6, 2019
#UFC243 Official Result: Israel "The Last @StyleBender" Adesanya def Robert Whittaker by KO at 3:33 in Round 2.
Final Results ➡️: https://t.co/Vr3sVu2O0A pic.twitter.com/2qvddbmlBb
— UFC News (@UFCNews) October 6, 2019
Paulo Costa, who was sitted at cageside, appears to be first in line for the new champ. Adesanya called him out and taunted him from the Octagon, while Costa yelled from his seat.
"You know who’s next. I have a heavy Ricky Martin wannabe next. Borrachinha. This is my Octagon. I’m going to smash him. I want to rearrange his face."@Stylebender after securing the @UFC middleweight championship by knocking out Robert Whittaker at #UFC243. pic.twitter.com/M13wYyzD0B
— UFC News (@UFCNews) October 6, 2019
Main Card (ESPN+ PPV, 10 p.m. ET)
Israel Adesanya def. Robert Whittaker via KO (Rd. 2, 3:33)
Dan Hooker def. Al Iaquinta via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Sergey Spivak def. Tai Tuivasa via submission (arm-triangle choke) (Rd. 2, 3:14)
Dhiego Lima def. Luke Jumeau via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Yorgan De Castro def. Justin Tafa via KO (Rd. 1, 2:10)
Preliminary Card (ESPN2, 8 p.m. ET)
Jake Matthews def. Rostem Akman via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Callan Potter def. Maki Pitolo via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Brad Riddell def. Jamie Mullarkey via unanimous decision (29-27, 30-26, 30-26)
Megan Anderson def. Zarah Fairn dos Santos via submission (triangle choke) (Rd. 1, 3:57)
Early Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass, 6:30 p.m. ET)
Ji Yeon Kim def. Nadia Kassem via TKO (Rd. 2, 4:59)
Khalid Taha def. Bruno Silva via submission (arm-triangle choke) (Rd. 3, 3:00)