UFC 254: Robert Whittaker def Jared Cannonier, eyes Israel Adesanya title rematch
Aussie UFC star Robert Whittaker is undoubtedly back – showing off his elite qualities with a ruthless win over American Jared Cannonier. And champion Israel Adesanya is next on his radar.
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Robert Whittaker doesn’t love the nickname Bobby Knuckles.
But geez, he lives up to it.
For proof, have a look at what he did to American Jared Cannonier at UFC 254.
Specifically, the Texan’s right eye — which finished up so heavily swollen, and likely broken after three rounds it was shut completely.
Just as a bloodied Cannonier was shut out.
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A result not so much of the scorecards – all three of which read 29-28 for the Australian – but that fight metric which showed Whittaker landing 65 significant head strikes to his opponent’s nine.
Elsewhere, the Australian also delivered a head kick in the third round which again followed up with those hands – what else? – dropped Cannonier late.
Which isn’t to say the No.2 middleweight contender didn’t have his moments.
He did.
Not only landing with heavy leg kicks early, but rallying in the dying seconds with a flurry of strikes, one of which landed hard.
But for the most part, Whittaker dominated with his jab.
That, and strong right hands.
Which is why Bobby Knuckles, he now gets a title shot again.
With UFC president Dana White confirming afterwards that a rematch with champ Israel Adesanya was now the “appealing” blockbuster to make.
“That’s the fight that makes sense,” White said of fighting the breakout star who took Whittaker’s belt via second round KO last October.
“Izzy has a lot of options, but that fight is very appealing to me.”
For your entertainment! ðŸ¿
— UFC (@ufc) October 24, 2020
These two left it all in the Octagon. #UFC254 pic.twitter.com/Od1oOdY3gq
While Whittaker looked outstanding on Abu Dhabi’s Fight Island, fellow Aussie Tai Tuivasa also saved his own UFC career in style – with a devastating first round KO of Stefan Struve.
Despite entering the Octagon a run of three losses, Tuivasa dropped his towering rival with a huge right uppercut before doubling down with another right hand on the ground.
It was a tougher showing however for Whittaker’s training partner Jacob Malkoun, who lost his UFC debut after being iced in just 18 seconds by American Phil Hawes.
Indeed, there were stories everywhere in this one – most notably UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov submitting Justin Gaethje, then retiring.
Gone after a win that earned him 29 straight, the No.1 pound-for-pound spot and entry into any GOAT conversation moving forward.
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Bobby Knuckles however, isn’t going anywhere.
Or not before jetting home to family for Christmas and then, in January, the birth of his fourth child.
Before which, he will not consider fighting.
“Because with (the birth of) all my kids, I’ve been thinking about fights,” the father-of-three said afterwards. “Wasn’t in the moment.
“And I refuse to do that for this one.”
As for rematching Adesanya, Whittaker said “as a warrior, it’s something I need to do”.
However, the 29-year-old quickly added he wasn’t fussed if that arrived in his next fight or “as two old fells fighting in a car park”.
Asked about being excited to fight the Kiwi again, the Sydneysider laughed: “I’m not stoked to fight him because he’s a hard fight.
“That, and the fact he beat me once already.
“But I feel I’ve got a couple of tricks I can roll out. That it can play out differently next time.
“But honestly, I know he is trying to do everything else and I get that. So he can go up to light heavyweight, heavyweight, whatever he wants.
“I feel like our paths will cross again.”
In the main event, UFC lightweight champion Nurmagomedov retained his title, and undefeated streak, after putting Justin Gathje to sleep with a triangle choke in the second round.
Khabib then announced his retirement, going out 29-0 and now in the conversation for the greatest of all time.
On a blockbuster card at Fight Island, Tuivasa also exploded back into the winner’s circle with a devastating first round KO over towering veteran Struve.
Despite coming into UFC 254 on a run of three losses — and on the cusp of possibly having his fight contract shredded — Tuivasa dropped his Netherlands rival with a huge right uppercut, then immediately finished him on the ground with another round hand.
“Oh f..., it’s been a while brah,” the western Sydney cult figure said afterwards. “It’s good to be back.”
Immediately following his stunning finish, the former Roosters forward jumped over the Octagon wall and tried to do his signature shoey.
However, given the fight was in Abu Dhabi, the fighter dubbed Bam Bam was tossed a shoe but, then, no key ingredient.
“I tried to do a shoey,” he laughed in the post-fight interview. “But there’s no beer in here”.
Tai Tuivasa (@bambamtuivasa) didn't mean to kick Stefan Struve when he got on the cage, and says he'll make it up to him. pic.twitter.com/a31hCtLdUR
— TheMacLife (@Maclifeofficial) October 24, 2020
Tuivasa also paid tribute to the From The Area community group he heads with a group of Penrith Panthers stars who also hail from the Mt Druitt area.
“All day, FTA, eshay,” he said into the microphone in his post-fight interview.
The early finish was a huge one for Tuivasa, who spent over a month earlier this year training in California with former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier.
Physically, Tuivasa also appeared in the best shape of his career in the Struve win.
Yet while Tuivasa had a standout win, fellow Sydneysider Malkoun was knocked out in just 18 seconds by rising American middleweight Phil Hawes.
The training partner of Australia’s first UFC champion Whittaker, 25-year-old Malkoun was dropped with a right hand in the opening exchanges and finished with a flurry of punches.
The loss was the first of his combat career, having won four amateur MMA fights, four as a professional and three more professional boxing bouts.