Israel Adesanya vs Robert Whittaker betting odds, fight info and fan predictions for UFC 271 bout

Israel Adesanya vs Robert Whittaker UFC fight info, date and time

Main event

Israel Adesanya vs Robert Whittaker is set to go down at UFC 271: Adesanya vs. Whittaker 2 at 11:30pm EST on Saturday 12th February 2022 in a UFC Middleweight Championship matchup.

Israel Adesanya is one of the UFC’s most dominant champions, defending his Middleweight belt a total of 3 times. Having already knocked out Robert Whittaker in their first fight, Adesanya last defended his title against Marvin Vettori at UFC 263.

Since losing his title to Adesanya, Robert Whittaker has won all three of his fights. His most recent win came against Kelvin Gastelum in an impressive five-round display.

Israel Adesanya vs Robert Whittaker 2 betting odds

Israel Adesanya is the oddsmakers’ choice as a -260 betting favorite. Placing a bet on Adesanya means you would need to bet $260 in order to win $100.

Robert Whittaker is a +225 betting underdog. If you bet $100 on Whittaker then you would win $225.

In their first fight, Adesanya opened as the +160 underdog, while Whittaker’s opening odds were -185. Given the champion’s dominance at 185lbs, the betting odds now strongly favor Adesanya for this rematch.

Fight information

A rematch between Adesanya and Whittaker had long been in the works before it was officially announced on December 12, 2021, by the UFC.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 𝐈𝐒 𝐎𝐍.

🇳🇬 @Stylebender vs 🇦🇺 @RobWhittakerMMA

[ #UFC271 | Feb 12 🔗https://t.co/ZrnO8qg7XH | @ToyotaCenter ] pic.twitter.com/dpW4jUTVWQ

— UFC (@ufc) December 12, 2021

While there was plenty of animosity leading up to their first fight, both competitors have remained relatively quiet in the lead-up to this rematch.

Israel Adesanya

Israel Adesanya has seen off every Middleweight opponent he has faced during his time in the UFC, racking up a 10-0 record at 185lbs. He won a dominant decision against Marvin Vettori in his last defence.

His other two successful title defences came against undefeated rising star Paulo Costa via KO and a unanimous decision against Yoel Romero. 

With just one career loss to former champion Jan Blachowizc at 205lbs, Adesanya is undefeated at Middleweight.

Robert Whittaker

Robert Whittaker responded well to his knockout loss against Adesanya by winning three on the trot. He secured unanimous decision victories against Darren Till, Jared Cannonier and Kelvin Gastelum to earn his shot at the belt.

Whittaker won the interim Middleweight belt against Yoel Romero at UFC 213 before he was promoted to undisputed champion. Prior to his loss against Adesanya, Whittaker was on an 8-fight winning streak at 185lbs.

How they match up

Adesanya is considerably taller than Whittaker at 6”4 and will also have a huge reach advantage of 6.5-inches. Whittaker is 5”11 and has a reach of 73.5 inches.

In terms of significant strikes, Whitaker lands more per minute at 4.68 to Adesanya’s 3.94. However, Adesanya is harder to hit, absorbing 2.59 significant strikes per minute to Whittaker’s 3.34.

Adesanya has a higher finishing rate at 72%, while Whittaker has a 61% finishing rate. Whittaker has 9 wins by knockout and 5 via submission, while all of Adesanya’s 15 career finishes have been by knockout.

Reasons to watch

This rematch has been spoken about for a long time, with many experts believing Whittaker has the all-round game capable of dethroning the champion. 

Adesanya is one of the most elite strikers ever seen in the Octagon. With a diverse arsenal of punches and kicks, ‘The Last Stylebender’ poses a threat every second of the fight.

Adesanya drops Whittaker as the horn sounds in round 1! Wow! #UFC243 pic.twitter.com/lR0ss8amj8

— UFC (@ufc) October 6, 2019

Whittaker is extremely tough and brings an unorthodox Karate style to the Octagon. He has strong grappling skills which could challenge Adesanya, who will prefer a standing fight.

The stakes

The Middleweight title isn’t the only thing on the line at UFC 271. This fight is a chance for Whittaker to avenge his loss to Adesanya in front of a 57,000 crowd at UFC 243.

Naija stand up! HE'S DONE IT!@Stylebender finishes Whittaker in the 2nd round! Wow! #UFC243 pic.twitter.com/IS1f8lL8Lt

— UFC (@ufc) October 6, 2019

Adesanya will be looking to make it four defences in a row in his Middleweight reign. He is still a way off Anderson Silva’s record of 10 defences but will cement his position as his era’s standout 185-champion.

Israel Adesanya vs Robert Whittaker 2 predictions

The bookies’ predictions have Israel Adesanya as the clear favorite at -260. 

Middleweight legend Anderson Silva picks Adesanya to win the rematch:

“I don’t see anybody that can win and challenge Israel in the 185lbs weight class.”

Former Light Heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz, who handed Adesanya his first MMA loss, also picks the champion:

“I think Israel wins again. We see how the first fight looks. I think it’s going to be a similar way.”

During the weigh-ins before the fight, Adesanya predicted his opponent will be more cautious this time around:

Former UFC Middleweight champion Michael Bisping predicts a different story this time around:

“Whittaker is no slouch. I’m expecting a different fight. Way more competitive than the last one.”

Israel Adesanya vs Robert Whittaker 2 picks

On James Lynch’s ‘Pro’s Picks’ feature, 16 fighter picks went to the champion Adesanya, while just the one pick from Jordan Wright went in favor of Robert Whittaker.

Plenty of active UFC fighters have made their picks on this matchup. Fighters picking Whittaker include Daniel Cormier and Kelvin Gastelum, who has fought and lost to both men. 

Fighters who pick Adesanya include Anthony Smith and Calvin Kattar, who dubbed Adesanya as a “different breed.”

Get your Adesanya vs Whittaker 2 picks in.

Where to bet on Israel Adesanya vs Robert Whittaker

Israel Adesanya vs Robert Whittaker tale of the tape

• 1 year age gap: Whittaker is the younger fighter at 31 years old.
• Adesanya has a massive 7 inch reach advantage.
• Whittaker has 6 more professional MMA fights than Adesanya.

Israel Adesanya	vs	Robert Whittaker
32	Age	31
22	Fights	28
21	Wins	23
1	Losses	5
15	KO’s	9
0	Subs	5
6′ 4	Height (in)	5′ 11
80	Reach (in)	73.5

Kelvin Gastelum vs Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya
Robert Whittaker   Win • Decision R5 5:00	vs. Kelvin Gastelum	Israel Adesanya   Win • Decision R5 5:00

Yoel Romero vs Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya
Robert Whittaker   Win • Decision R5 5:00   Win • Decision R5 5:00	vs. Yoel Romero	Israel Adesanya   Win • Decision R5 5:00

Derek Brunson vs Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya
Robert Whittaker   Win • KO/TKO R1 4:07	vs. Derek Brunson	Israel Adesanya   Win • KO/TKO R1 4:51

Brad Tavares vs Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya
Robert Whittaker   Win • KO/TKO R1 0:44	vs. Brad Tavares	Israel Adesanya   Win • Decision R5 5:00

Robert “The Reaper” Whittaker fighter profile and recent form

Robert Whittaker is a 31 year old male fighter from Australia with 23 pro wins and 5 losses. See Robert Whittaker’s full MMA record.

Robert Whittaker has a 61% finish rate, including 9 by knockout, 5 by submission, 9 by decision.

Robert Whittaker is currently riding a 3 fight win streak.

Last 5 bouts

Result	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Weight class	Org
Win	22-5-0	Kelvin Gastelum	DEC R5 5:00	UFC Fight Night	2021-04-17	Middleweight	UFC
Win	21-5-0	Jared Cannonier	DEC R3 5:00	UFC 254	2020-10-24	Middleweight	UFC
Win	20-5-0	Darren Till	DEC R5 5:00	UFC Fight Night	2020-07-25	Middleweight	UFC
Loss	20-4-0	Israel Adesanya	KO/TKO R2 3:33	UFC 243	2019-10-05	Middleweight	UFC
Win	19-4-0	Yoel Romero	DEC R5 5:00	UFC 225	2018-06-09	Middleweight	UFC

Israel “The Last Stylebender” Adesanya fighter profile and recent form

Israel Adesanya is a 32 year old male fighter from Nigeria with 21 pro wins and 1 losses. See Israel Adesanya’s full MMA record.

Israel Adesanya has a 72% finish rate, including 15 by knockout, 6 by decision.

Israel Adesanya is looking to put together a winning streak, having last beaten Marvin Vettori at UFC 263: Adesanya vs. Vettori 2.

Last 5 bouts

Result	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Weight class	Org
Win	20-1-0	Marvin Vettori	DEC R5 5:00	UFC 263	2021-06-12	Middleweight	UFC
Loss	20-0-0	Jan Błachowicz	DEC R5 5:00	UFC 259	2021-03-06	Light Heavyweight	UFC
Win	19-0-0	Paulo Costa	KO/TKO R2 3:59	UFC 253	2020-09-26	Middleweight	UFC
Win	18-0-0	Yoel Romero	DEC R5 5:00	UFC 248	2020-03-07	Middleweight	UFC
Win	17-0-0	Robert Whittaker	KO/TKO R2 3:33	UFC 243	2019-10-05	Middleweight	UFC