Coach lays out keys for Whittaker to recapture the title against Adesanya

Xtreme Couture coach/general manager Eric Nicksick analyzes the rematch between Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya on Feb.12 at UFC 271.

Nicksick describes the difference in Whittaker since the loss to Adesanya:

“From what I’ve watched with Rob since then I’ve seen a lot of situational awareness and a fight IQ development that I feel like he’s always had tricks. But as of late, he’s implementing things a little bit better. Better all-around to be honest with you where he’s timing his takedowns better, he’s hitting same side headkicks. It’s almost like watching a conductor to an orchestra. He’s just giving everything that you need at the right time, at the right moment. 

“This the 1A and 1B of that division. I think the fight is going to be a lot closer than the first one. I think that Robert was going through a lot in his life and maybe even with his body that he might not have been on his best leg when he went into that fight. I’m hoping to see a more competitive fight. 

“You gotta favor Izzy just because of the last fight and what he did and what he’s capable of doing. But Robert’s the kind of fighter that probably went back to the drawing board and looked at a lot of things where he can improve, where he can be better at, and I think he’s been showing that in a lot of his other fights as well. You can sneak in a takedown here or there and that can add up in a five round fight. As far as the cardio goes and getting up. Maybe holding a guy down for a little bit and the pummeling and taking the sting out of the punches. So I just think he needs to really implement a full MMA skillset in this fight.”

Watch this interview on The AllStar’s Youtube channel.

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Fighter profile

Israel “The Last Stylebender” Adesanya is a 32 year old male fighter from Nigeria with 21 pro wins and 1 losses. Adesanya is scheduled to fight Robert Whittaker at UFC 271: Adesanya vs. Whittaker 2 on Saturday February 12, 2022.

Adesanya’s recent form coming into this matchup

Adesanya has gone 4-1 in the last 5 professional MMA fights.

• Win vs Marvin Vettori • Decision R5 5:00 • 2021-06-12
• Loss vs Jan Błachowicz • Decision R5 5:00 • 2021-03-06
• Win vs Paulo Costa • KO/TKO R2 3:59 • 2020-09-26
• Win vs Yoel Romero • Decision R5 5:00 • 2020-03-07
• Win vs Robert Whittaker • KO/TKO R2 3:33 • 2019-10-05

Israel Adesanya’s next opponent: Robert “The Reaper” Whittaker

Robert “The Reaper” Whittaker’s recent form coming into this matchup

Whittaker is a 31 year old male fighter from Australia with 23 pro wins and 5 losses. Whittaker is scheduled to fight Israel Adesanya at UFC 271: Adesanya vs. Whittaker 2 on Saturday February 12, 2022.

Whittaker has gone 4-1 in the last 5 professional MMA fights.

• Win vs Kelvin Gastelum • Decision R5 5:00 • 2021-04-17
• Win vs Jared Cannonier • Decision R3 5:00 • 2020-10-24
• Win vs Darren Till • Decision R5 5:00 • 2020-07-25
• Loss vs Israel Adesanya • KO/TKO R2 3:33 • 2019-10-05
• Win vs Yoel Romero • Decision R5 5:00 • 2018-06-09

How to watch and bet on Israel Adesanya vs Robert Whittaker

Keep track of all the latest odds and line-movements at our bout page for this matchup.