What’s next for Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker?
At UFC 271 in Houston, Israel Adesanya beat Robert Whittaker for the second time to retain the UFC middleweight title. “The Last Stylebender” didn’t knock out Whittaker like in their first encounter, but he did enough to defend the title for the fourth time. Also on the card, it appears that Jared Cannonier was propelled to the No. 1 contender spot after beating Derek Brunson via knockout.
Following UFC 271, the UFC’s middleweight division is in an interesting position. Who can topple Adesanya? What’s next for former champion Whittaker? There are plenty of matchups to make in a division full of talent. How the UFC decides to go about it will be something many will be keeping an eye on.
Sporting News plays matchmaker and looks into bouts that may come to fruition. Which proposed fights will the UFC end up making a reality?
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Israel Adesanya vs. Jared Cannonier
It appears that the most obvious choice is Adesanya vs. Cannonier. When Cannonier beat Brunson, he forced UFC president Dana White to look at him as he proclaimed he is the true contender for the UFC middleweight title. Adesanya even pointed out that he is ready to face Cannonier in June.
After losing to Whittaker at UFC 254 in 2020, Cannonier has won two in a row. He is 5-1 in his last six fights, and ending Brunson’s five-fight win streak is a clear indication he is ready for a title shot.
Robert Whittaker vs. Sean Strickland
If it wasn’t for Cannonier taking out Brunson in impressive fashion, we might have seen Sean Strickland vs. Adesanya. Strickland, who beat Jack Hermansson not long ago, is on a six-fight win streak. The Hermansson fight was a calculating affair, with a performance that Strickland himself was not a fan of. He believes he is ready for a title opportunity but would be willing to fight whoever the UFC puts in front of him.
Strickland is ranked sixth. Following impressive wins over Hermansson and Uriah Hall, a step up in competition in the form of Whittaker would be the test he needs to prove he is the next contender the UFC has been waiting for.
MORE: Why a third fight between Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker is inevitable
Robert Whittaker vs. Marvin Vettori
The next logical fight to make if it is not Strickland vs. Whittaker is Whittaker against Marvin Vettori. Both fighters are ranked high in the middleweight division as of this moment (Vettori at No. 2). Vettori, who Adesanya beat in June at UFC 263, rebounded by beating former contender Paulo Costa in October. Vettori is 6-1 in his last seven fights and is ready to prove he should remain in the title picture.
If Whittaker believes a third fight between him and Adesanya is possible, beating Vettori would be the first step in doing so.
“A third fight between me and Izzy is inevitable,” Whittaker said at the post-fight press conference. “I am going to stomp everyone who comes in front of me again, that’s why he said I’ll be seeing you in the future. I don’t see him losing the belt any time soon, he is good – but I think I am the person to beat him. My mission stays the same – beat the next guy in front of me. I’m at the top of the pile, but I want to be higher.”
As of now, Vettori does not have a return fight planned for him.
Derek Brunson vs. Sean Strickland
If Strickland does not get the fight against Whittaker, Brunson could be the next man up. While Brunson has said he will only compete in a few more fights, a matchup with the rising Strickland is something that can entice him.
Brunson is fourth in the rankings and 5-1 in his last six fights. Before the loss, “Blonde Brunson” made a true impact at middleweight. He can still be an intimidating force if he continues putting pressure on the division. If he can win convincingly, that might make him reconsider retiring. A shot at the middleweight title is an opportunity not many would give up.
Another option for Brunson that might not be on everyone’s radar is a Whittaker rematch. The two fought one another in 2016, with Whittaker winning via TKO.
