Australian fighter Robert Whittaker defeats Kelvin Gastelum in UFC ‘masterclass’

Two years after withdrawing from their first encounter, Australia’s Robert Whittaker has utterly outclassed American rival Kelvin Gastelum.

Robert Whittaker of Australia punches Kelvin Gastelum.

Australian UFC fighter Robert Whittaker has bettered American rival Kelvin Gastelum in their long-awaited rematch on Sunday afternoon AEST.

The former middleweight champion put on a masterclass performance at Las Vegas’ UFC Apex, defeating Gastelum via unanimous decision (50-45 x 3).

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Whittaker controlled the entirety of the five-round contest, outstriking his opponent on feet and the ground.

Gastelum landed a handful of powerful blows, but the Aussie was undeniably superior with his accuracy and timing.

“I feel on top of the world,” Whittaker said after the win.

“Obviously, this was a very hard fight. I think a lot of people were selling Kelvin short for where he was in the rankings. He’s one of the best fighters in the division, and that was a tough fight.”

SENSATIONAL.

🇦🇺 @RobWhittakerMMA just put on an absolute masterclass! #UFCVegas24pic.twitter.com/as9ErEeF8Q

— UFC_AUSNZ (@UFC_AUSNZ) April 18, 2021

My man @robwhittakermma is turning it on! 🔥🔥 #UFCVegas24

— Dylan Alcott (@DylanAlcott) April 18, 2021

Whittaker is picking Gastelum apart in a fashion we've not seen from him before. This is a phenomenal display. #UFCVegas24

— Seán Sheehan (@SeanSheehanBA) April 18, 2021

Flawless from Whittaker. The rematch with Izzy is super interesting now.

— Richard Lewis (@RLewisReports) April 18, 2021

Two years ago, Whittaker suffered an abdominal hernia the evening before his middleweight title fight against Gastelum, forcing a shock withdrawal.

It was a freak injury, robbing MMA fans of what would have been a thrilling contest at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena.

Whittaker was meant to come up against Paulo Costa this weekend, but the Brazilian fighter pulled out because a severe case of flu-impeded preparation, Gastelum the eleventh-hour replacement.

The 30-year-old’s victory reignited calls from within the UFC community for a rematch against current middleweight champion Israel Adesanya — the New Zealander took the belt off Whittaker at UFC 243 in October 2019.

“(Adesanya) is a great fighter. But I think it’s about time we crossed paths once again,” Whittaker said on Sunday.

“They might just open up the borders for Australia in September. Let’s make that happen. Let’s see if we can get a stadium back home.

“He beat me last time. But I’m going to work hard, and I think I’ve got some tricks he hasn’t seen yet.”

Good job my son.

— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) April 18, 2021

FULL CARD AND RESULTS

Main Card

Robert Whittaker defeated Kelvin Gastelum — via unanimous decision — middleweight

Andrei Arlovski defeated Chase Sherman — via unanimous decision — heavyweight

Jacob Malkoun defeated Abdul Razak Alhassan — via unanimous decision — middleweight

Tracy Cortez defeated Justine Kish — via split decision — women’s flyweight

Luis Pena defeated Alexander Munoz — via split decision — lightweight

Prelims

Alexander Romanov defeated Juan Espino — via technical split decision — heavyweight

Jessica Penne defeated Lupita Godinez — via split decision — women’s strawweight

Gerald Meerschaert defeated Bartosz Fabinski — via first round submission — middleweight

Austin Hubbard defeated Dakota Bush — via unanimous decision — lightweight

Tony Gravely defeated Anthony Birchak — via second round TKO — bantamweight