R. Whittaker (left) dominated and beat K. Gastelum (right) in the UFC Las Vegas 24. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
A gala presentation. In the main fight of UFC Las Vegas 24, held this Saturday (17), Robert whittaker had no problems with Kelvin Gastelum. Substitute for Paulo borrachinha In the show, the North American was unable to stop the former champion's refined technique, being dominated for five rounds. After 25 minutes, the Australian was declared the winner in a unanimous decision by the judges and moved closer to a middleweight title fight (up to 83,9kg).
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Leader of the category between 2017 and 2019, Whittaker continues to dream of recovering the title he lost against Israel adesanya No. UFC 243. With the new triumph, the Australian reaches his third positive result in a row and consolidates his place in first place in the ranking.
substitute for Paulo borrachinha In the main fight, Gastelum showed strength, but was unable to impose his strategy against the former champion. Victim of his rival's speed and precise attacks, the North American was unsuccessful in his opportunity to return to the top 5.
In the interview after the fight, Robert reinforced his desire to share the Octagon with Adesanya again. In the first meeting, the Australian ended up being knocked out in the second round, losing the group's throne.
The fight
The confrontation began with Whittaker taking the initiative with a low kick. Gastelum responded in kind, but ended up surprised by a straight shot from the former champion. In the opening seconds, the fighters accepted the frank exchange and sought the knockout. After almost two minutes, the former champion connected with a high kick to the North American's head, which shook him. The Australian tried to take advantage of the good moment and continued hitting his rival. Kelvin tried to cash in, but ended up being taken down by Whittaker, who fell into an advantageous position. Without much action, Gastelum clung to his opponent and protected himself as best he could. Near the end of the stage, Gastelum managed to get up, but there was no more time.
In the second round, Kelvin attacked the Australian with a series of crosses. Whittaker defended well and responded, also with a cross. The minutes passed and Robert continued to improve in the confrontation, connecting the best blows and scoring against the North American. Gastelum tried to surprise the former champion with punch combinations, but the Australian was sharp with his dodges and was dangerous with his counterattacks. Towards the end of the round, Gastelum went for a grappling fight, but his rival freed himself before the bell sounded.
The third stage began with the fighters exchanging low kicks. The combatants once again accepted open exchanges and sought the knockout. Accurate in his attacks, Whittaker once again surprised his opponent with a clean right to the face. Kevin touched his opponent less, but showed a lot of resistance to absorb the attacks. Acting safely, Robert circulated around the octagon and dodged Kelvin's attacks. The Australian continued to be on target and delivering blows with great speed. In the final seconds, Whittaker rocked his rival with a straight shot and a cross, but the timer ran to zero.
In the opening seconds of the fourth stage, Gastelum looked for his opponent's legs and tried to take the fight to the ground. The Australian defended well and managed to get away. Whittaker continued to abuse combinations and hurt Kelvin's face, who launched attacks into space. Towards the end of the round, Gastelum managed to take down the Australian, but the former champion quickly got up. The round ended after a sequence of low kicks from the former champion.
In the last round, Gastelum started more aggressively, trying to recover from previous losses. Calmly, Robert dodged and bet on the counterattack. Kelvin tried to break through the former champion's guard, but Whittaker did not open his defense and responded to his opponent's actions with jabs, straights and crosses. With two minutes left in the duel, the former champion took advantage of his opponent's carelessness and took his rival to the ground. On top, the Australian managed the result, while Gastelum tried to get up. Robert managed to get to the back, but the American managed to stay on his feet. Close to ending the fight, Whittaker took down his opponent again, but there was no more time.
MMA veteran, Arlovski surpasses Chase Sherman
A. Arlovski (photo) defeated C. Sherman in the UFC Las Vegas 24. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
In the co-main fight of the show, experience beat youth. Former heavyweight champion (up to 120,2kg.), Andrei Arlovski showed that there is still firewood to burn. In a lively confrontation against Chase sherman, the veteran emerged victorious after three rounds.
At 42 years old, Arlovski reached his 31st positive result in his career. Professional in the sport since 1999, the fighter recovered from the setback he suffered to Tom aspinall, in February this year.
Defeated by the veteran, Sherman suffered his first defeat since returning to Ultimate. The 31-year-old returned to the organization in May 2020, after a year away. On that occasion, the fighter surpassed Isaac Villanueva.
Jacob Malkoun beats Abdul Alhassan and complicates rival
J. Malkoun (right) defeated A. Razak via unanimous decision by the judges. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Representative of the middleweights (up to 83,9kg.), Jacob Malkoun 'walked' in the clash against Abdul Alhassan. With a confident performance, the Australian dominated his opponent for three rounds and won his first fight in the UFC. After 15 minutes, the North American was defeated by unanimous decision from the judges.
In his second commitment in Ultimate, Malkoun frees himself from the pressure of achieving his first positive result. The athlete debuted with the company in October 2020, but ended up being surpassed by phil hawes with a lightning knockout, just 18 seconds into the fight.
With the defeat, Abdul Alhassan became complicated in the UFC once and for all. The negative result marked the third consecutive setback for the athlete, who is at risk of dismissal.
Tracy Cortez has a tough fight, but remains undefeated in the UFC
T. Cortez (left) defeated J. Kish (right) in the UFC Las Vegas 24. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Promise in flyweight (up to 56,7kg.) of Ultimate, Tracy Cortez Didn't have an easy life in front of Justine Kish. In a balanced confrontation, the athlete had an advantage in the first round, but saw her rival recover in the second stage and even out the duel even more in the last stage. After three rounds, Cortez was declared the winner in a split decision by the judges.
The triumph confirmed Tracy's great phase in the organization. The North American, who debuted at the company in November 2019, continues with 100% success, with three positive results in a row.
With the new defeat, Justine got into trouble in the company once and for all. The athlete came from behind in front of Sabina mazo and now has four negative results in the last five fights.
Luis Pena defeats Alexander Munos in an even fight
L. Pena defeated A. Munos in the UFC Las Vegas 24. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
The first fight on the main card was marked by balance. In a clash contested at lightweight (up to 70,3kg), Luis Pena and Alexander Munos put on a busy fight that was only decided at the end of the third round. In a split decision, Pena was declared the winner against his compatriot.
With the result, Luis recovered from the defeat he suffered against Khama Whorthy, in July 2020. The victory prevented the American from confirming his bad phase, which could be extended with three setbacks in the last five clashes.
Defeated by Pena, Munos remains without a win in the UFC. The fighter, who debuted in the organization in August last season, has now recorded two defeats in a row.
UFC Las Vegas 24 results
MAIN CARD
Average weight: Robert whittaker derrotou Kelvin Gastelum in the unanimous decision of the judges (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
Heavyweight: Andrei Arlovski derrotou Chase sherman in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Average weight: Jacob Malkoun derrotou Abdul Razak Alhassan in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Fly weight: Tracy Cortez defeated Justine Kish via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Lightweight: Luis Peña defeated Alexander Muñoz via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
PRELIMINARY CARD
Heavyweight: Alexander Romanov derrotou Juan Espino in split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Straw weight: Jessica penne derrotou Lupita Godinez in the judges' split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Average weight: Gerald meerschaert submitted Bartosz Fabinski with a guillotine 2m from R1
Lightweight: Austin Hubbard defeated Dakota Bush via unanimous judge decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Bantamweight: Tony Gravely defeated Anthony Birchak via TKO at 1m31s of R2
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