Four years ago today, Israel Adesanya once again demonstrated his dominance over one of the greatest fighters in UFC history. Revered as one of the sport’s top competitors, Adesanya’s lengthy tenure as middleweight champion has cemented his status alongside legends like Anderson Silva.
A notable achievement shared by both Adesanya and Silva is their unbeaten records in rematch scenarios inside the Octagon. Adesanya, in particular, has secured victory in two UFC rematches, with one memorable win occurring on this date in 2022.
Robert Whittaker Falls Short Against Israel Adesanya in Their UFC 271 Rematch
When fans think of Adesanya’s rematch successes, many recall his 2024 knockout of Alex Pereira to reclaim the middleweight title. However, his initial UFC rematch presented a more challenging test. On February 12, 2022, at UFC 271 held in Houston’s Toyota Center, Adesanya defended his middleweight crown for the fourth time. Having previously triumphed over fighters like Jared Cannonier, Tai Tuivasa, and Renato Moicano, he now faced longtime rival Robert Whittaker.
Known as “The Last Stylebender,” Adesanya aimed to reaffirm his superiority by defeating Whittaker once more, after unifying the belts against the Australian three years earlier. Their first encounter ended swiftly with Adesanya knocking Whittaker out in Melbourne, but this rematch unfolded into a grueling five-round war. Though Whittaker believed he had done enough to claim victory, the judges unanimously sided with Adesanya.
“I’m happy to be at my best, but yeah, I’m disappointed,” Whittaker admitted post-fight. “I thought I had done enough. I think it was tough at first, but after that I thought I won every round.”
Joe Rogan Absent from UFC 271 Amid Last-Minute Changes
One notable absence from UFC 271 was color commentator Joe Rogan, who withdrew shortly before the event due to what was described as “scheduling conflicts.” His replacement, former champion Michael Bisping, stepped in on short notice. UFC president Dana White suggested that Rogan could have contributed significantly to the broadcast but seemed to dismiss the scheduling excuse.
Many speculated that Rogan’s absence stemmed from ongoing controversy surrounding him at the time, including backlash over COVID-19 misinformation and past racial slurs aired on his podcast. As a result, this fight card unfolded without one of the UFC’s most recognizable voices.
Fan Take: This moment remains significant for fight fans because it highlights Israel Adesanya’s ability to prevail under pressure against elite rivals, reinforcing his legacy in UFC history. Moreover, it underscores ongoing changes in the sport’s presentation, as controversies surrounding key figures like Joe Rogan challenge traditions and open doors for new voices in MMA.
