Five reasons to watch UFC 271, with a rematch between Adesanya and Whittaker for the middleweight belt

I. Adesanya and R. Whittaker face off before the UFC 271 (Photo: Instagram/UFC_Brasil)

The big moment has arrived. Two years after running over Robert whittaker and take over the absolute middleweight belt (up to 83,9kg.), the time has come to Israel adesanya reunite with the former victim. This Saturday (12), in Houston (USA), the stars will once again share the octagon in a confrontation that could change the future of the category. In addition to the title fight, the event has 13 more fights scheduled.

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How to watch UFC 271, with a rematch between Adesanya and Whittaker. LIVE on television and internet

Considered one of the main stars in the recent history of Ultimate, Israel adesanya has a new major career commitment. In addition to the confrontation defining the maintenance – or not – of his throne, the fighter is also presenting himself to defend his unbeaten record in the under-83,9kg category.

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Hard beaten by 'Izzy' on UFC 243, Robert whittaker He needs to prove that he has evolved and that the stumble against the Nigerian was nothing more than a mere chance. To regain his status as a challenger, the New Zealander went through three challenges, confirming his good momentum and assuming the number one position in the rankings.

The co-main fight marks a 'clash of carts'. Representatives of the heavyweights (up to 120,2kg.) and with a reputation as knockout artists, Derrick Lewis e Tai tuivasa face each other in a duel that promises excitement. While the North American tries to maintain his leading position in the category, the Australian tries to make an important leap in the group led by Francis Ngannou.

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Brazilian fans will have two representatives at the weekend. Cast on the main card, Renato Moicano face Alexander Hernandez, while Douglas D' Silva, in the preliminary, faces Sergey Morozov.

To get in the mood, our team selected five reasons to follow the UFC 271. Check out:

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1) Adesanya x Whittaker: reckoning

I. Adesanya (left) defeated R. Whittaker (right) in the UFC 243. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

When they faced each other for the first time, in UFC 243, Whittaker and Adesanya fought to unify the category title. At the time, the Nigerian was holding the interim belt, won in an epic battle against Kelvin Gastelum. Undefeated in his career, the Nigerian needed to prove the 'hype' about his name, and he did so.

With a show of technique, Israel managed to nullify Robert's strategy and went further. The athlete's coronation was in style, with a tough knockout in the second round.

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Just over two years passed and Whittaker managed to prove that he was not shaken by the setback. While the new champion carried out three title defenses, the New Zealander needed to 'rotate' and overcome the commitments imposed by Ultimate.

to get to UFC 271, Robert came through three opponents with convincing performances. Israel also did its part.

The show, then, is full of expectation, as it features two protagonists in great shape and thirsty for a new positive result.

2) Adesanya 'pursuing' Aderson Silva's legacy

A. Silva (left) and I. Adesanya (right) faced each other in 2019. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook ufcbrasil

Treated as one of the UFC's 'golden athletes', Israel adesanya is still far away, but it can take another important step in the 'hunt' to get closer to the importance of Anderson Silva at medium weight. Elected by 'Spider' himself as his successor, the Nigerian has impressive numbers and, if he wins this weekend, he could go further.

At 32 years old, Adesanya has 10 appearances in the UFC middleweight division, winning at every opportunity. Since he became champion, the Nigerian has had three title defenses, something still a long way from what Anderson did when he reigned in the group.

In his career, Israel has accumulated 21 positive results, with 15 knockouts and one positive result. Silva, on the other hand, had 34 wins, with 23 knockouts and 11 stumbles.

While 'Izzy' admits he doesn't chase 'Spider's' numbers, it's inevitable that the powerhouses won't be put in comparison at some point.

3) Whittaker can 'save' the middleweight division

R. Whittaker is on a three-fight winning streak in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Middleweight fans may have reason to root for Robert whittaker this weekend. If Adesanya has another positive result, the athlete could make the division a victim of a combatant's outstanding talent.

If Israel gets past the New Zealander, just Jared Cannonier, in the top 5, will not have suffered a defeat to the Nigerian star. Outside the elite, some names can assume the status of challengers, but are not there yet because, sometimes, they do not promote confrontations that engage both the public and the Ultimate board, or because they require even more tests in the company, as is the case of Alex Poatán.

Disregarding Cannonier, the closest thing to a chance is Derek Brunson, who faces Jared in the same UFC 271. The detail is that the veteran was already severely knocked out by the current champion, when Adesanya wasn't even holding the title.

Adesanya's 'Executioner' twice in kickboxing, Alex Poatán has been a frequent topic about a possible challenger. An important detail is that the Brazilian only has one UFC fight and, despite his debut performance, he doesn't even appear in the top 15, which makes a fight unfeasible, at least at the moment.

If Whittaker shocks the world and retakes the category, the other athletes already defeated by Israel 'take a breather'. Names like Paulo borrachinha e Marvin vettori they return to the list of contenders for the title, as well as other victims of the talented Nigerian.

4) Meeting of 'carts'

D. Lewis (left) faces T. Tuivasa (right) in the UFC 271. Photo: SUPER FIGHTS montage

Although there is no belt up for grabs, the co-main event of the UFC 271 has, on paper, the ingredients to keep viewers hooked. In the penultimate fight of the show, Derrick Lewis e Tai tuivasa will take their aggression to the octagon in a confrontation that will hardly last three rounds.

On the one hand, Lewis, a two-time heavyweight title challenger (once for the interim and once for the interim), is trying to defend his third position and confirm his second consecutive victory.

Although the 'giant' has already publicly declared that he does not intend to fight five-round fights in the short term, his name could once again be considered for a title fight.

On the other side, Tai tuivasa will have the most important fight of his career to date. Aggressive, the Australian comes from a severe hit on Augusto Sakai. If he surpasses Lewis, the athlete, who is currently in 11th position, could jump straight into the top 5.

5) Brazil in the Octagon

R. Moicano (left) and D. Silva (right) are Brazilian stars in UFC 271. Photo: SUPER FIGHTS montage

Brazilian fans will have two representatives at the show. At the UFC 271, the stars perform on the preliminary card, with lightweight and bantamweight fights.

Former featherweight standout (up to 65,7kg.) and living a new moment in the lightweight division (up to 70,3kg.), Renato Moicano seeks stability. This weekend, the fighter will try for his second consecutive victory in the group led by Charles of the Bronx, but to do so, you need to overcome Alexander Hernandez, who also wants to rise in the category.

The first Tupiniquim to enter the octagon, Douglas D' Silva wants to go on an undefeated streak in the group and stop the fluctuation. The man from Pará, however, will not have an easy life. The bantamweight (up to 61,2kg.), this Saturday, faces the dangerous Sergey Morozov. Both are looking for a place in the top 15 of the division. aljamain sterling.