UFC 271's main event featured Israel "The Stylebender" Adesanya defending his middleweight title in a rematch against Robert Whittaker on Saturday night at the Toyota Center in Houston. In October 2019, Adesanya won their first matchup via knockout.
Adesanya entered UFC 271 on a 10-fight win streak, the second-longest in UFC middleweight history. Whittaker earned the title fight opportunity by coming out on top in his past three matches.
The fight was the fourth rematch for a championship in UFC middleweight history, according to ESPN Stats & Information, and history was on Adesanya's side. In the previous three instances, the winner of the first fight won the rematch.
In the end, Adesanya came out victorious. He defeated Whittaker after five rounds via unanimous decision. It's his fourth successful middleweight title defense and comes closer to matching Anderson Silva's record 13-fight win streak in the division.
The co-main event saw Derrick Lewis return to Houston to face Tai Tuivasa in a heavyweight fight. Lewis' previous bout in his hometown ended in defeat via TKO to Ciryl Gane. Tuivasa is a rising fighter known for his "shoey" celebration, in which he drinks beer from a shoe after victories.
Lewis' 13 career knockouts are the most in UFC history. Prior to the Saturday bout, Tuivasa won his past four contests by knockout, the longest active finish streak in the UFC.
Tuivasa notched his eighth UFC victory, defeating Lewis in the second round via knockout. He now has won his past five fights and the famous "shoey" celebration was on full display after Tuivasa's huge victory.
Rudy Gobert, Alexander Volkanovski, Ben Askren and more offered their reactions to UFC 271's co-main and main events on Twitter.
AND STILL 🏆🇳🇬 @stylebender #3Kings 🤴🏿🤴🏿🤴🏿🌍
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) February 13, 2022
And still 🔥🔥🔥 #UFC271
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) February 13, 2022
For as dominant as Izzy is...he isn't overly offensive. #ufc271
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) February 13, 2022
Damn!! Incredible to see Izzy only breathing thru his nose midway thru 4th. Not even sitting down between rounds. Discipline. Control.
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) February 13, 2022
Both these guys. #UFC271
Good fight.... pic.twitter.com/1aemHcXUJz
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) February 13, 2022
I'm not advocating "banging" over "tactically fighting", all I'm trying to advocate for is a spirit of inflicting dominance in the face of danger. Don't play it safe. Take more chances. I don't need you to plod forward with reckless abandon...but have a little anger in your heart
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) February 13, 2022
Still, the one ;). #UFC271
— Jan Blachowicz (@JanBlachowicz) February 13, 2022
Trust me, I love Izzy. But we have gotten to a point where a dominant champ just needs to stand there, throw a few shots per round and he will not lose unless he gets caught&he will always get the nod. Izzy got paid on this last contract...go FIGHT, don't you dare spar. #UFC271
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) February 13, 2022
For as dominant as Izzy is...he isn't overly offensive. #ufc271
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) February 13, 2022
Izzy is a prime Anderson Silva that watches anime
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) February 13, 2022
Man Izzy is a genius in movement and striking
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) February 13, 2022
#UFC271 Official Result: Tai Tuivasa (@BamBamTuivasa) defeats Derrick Lewis by KO, Round 2, 1:40
— UFC News (@UFCNews) February 13, 2022
You the man @bambamtuivasa!! 🙌🏼#ufc271
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) February 13, 2022
Wow. #ufc271
— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) February 13, 2022
Bro what! I need that rematch asap! 😱😱
— Andre Roberson (@FlyDre21) February 13, 2022
— Dominick Reyes (@DomReyes) February 13, 2022
Heavy weights are fun to watch
— Maurice Hurst Jr (@mohurstjr) February 13, 2022
They need to just let Tai run around and do shoeys with the crowd 😂 give him 5 minutes #ufc271
— Niko Price (@Nikohybridprice) February 13, 2022
That elbow was crazyyyyyy!!!! Dropped him.
— Jared Sullinger Sr. (@Jared_Sully0) February 13, 2022
I have pretty low cleanliness standards, damn the shooey is gross. Makes me want to puke
— Funky (@Benaskren) February 13, 2022
That cage kept Lewis framed up with nowhere for his head to go after impact. Vicious elbow from Bam Bam! Crazy fight! #UFC271
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) February 13, 2022
Man his clinch elbow game is best in the division
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) February 13, 2022
Shoes time wow what a fight!!!#UFC271
— Jamahal Hill (@JamahalH) February 13, 2022
Ohhhhh tuivasaaaa 👞 🍺
— Al Iaquinta🗽 (@ALIAQUINTA) February 13, 2022
Deez. Boys. Are. Savages! #UFC271
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) February 13, 2022
The difference between a dirty shoe and a clean shoe is everything
— Al Iaquinta🗽 (@ALIAQUINTA) February 13, 2022
