Adesanya Defeats Whittaker Again in Rematch

Robert Whittaker's 861-day wait for revenge ends in disappointment

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Israel Adesanya defeated Robert Whittaker for the second time at UFC 271 in Houston, Texas. The rematch was a competitive five-round affair, with Adesanya earning the nod from all three judges despite Whittaker believing he had done enough to win. The event was notable for the absence of UFC color commentator Joe Rogan, who pulled out days before the event citing 'scheduling conflicts' but was reportedly facing backlash over COVID-19 misinformation and past use of a racial slur.

Why it matters

Adesanya's victory over Whittaker further cements his status as one of the greatest UFC fighters of all time, having now defeated his rival twice. The rematch also highlighted the growing controversies surrounding high-profile UFC personalities like Joe Rogan, which can overshadow the action inside the Octagon.

The details

In their first meeting in 2019, Adesanya brutally knocked out Whittaker to unify the middleweight title. The rematch at UFC 271 was a much closer affair, with Whittaker believing he had done enough to earn the victory after a rocky start. However, the judges scored the fight in Adesanya's favor, extending his undefeated record in rematches.

  • The UFC 271 pay-per-view took place on February 12, 2022 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
  • Adesanya and Whittaker first fought in 2019, with Adesanya winning by knockout to unify the middleweight title.
  • Whittaker had to wait 861 days for his rematch with Adesanya at UFC 271.

The players

Israel Adesanya

A Nigerian-New Zealander fighter widely considered one of the best UFC fighters of all time, having enjoyed a lengthy reign as middleweight champion.

Robert Whittaker

An Australian fighter and former UFC middleweight champion who was seeking revenge against Adesanya in their rematch.

Joe Rogan

The UFC color commentator who pulled out of commentating UFC 271 days before the event, citing 'scheduling conflicts' but reportedly facing backlash over COVID-19 misinformation and past use of a racial slur.

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What they’re saying

“I'm happy that I fought my heart out, but yeah, I'm gutted. I thought I did enough.”

— Robert Whittaker, Fighter

“I know I started off rocky, but I thought I won every round after that.”

— Robert Whittaker, Fighter

“Rogan 'could have worked' UFC 271 and dismissed the scheduling excuse.”

— Dana White, UFC President (Yardbarker)

What’s next

Adesanya is expected to defend his middleweight title again in the coming months, while Whittaker will likely look to bounce back and earn another shot at the championship.

The takeaway

Adesanya's victory over Whittaker in their rematch further solidifies his status as one of the greatest UFC fighters of all time, but the event was also overshadowed by the absence of Joe Rogan and the ongoing controversies surrounding the popular commentator.