Israel Adesanya targets 'fresh meat' after proving he is 'best in world' at UFC 271

Israel Adesanya said that he proved he is “the best in the world” at middleweight with his victory in the rematch against Robert Whittaker at UFC 271 on Sunday morning.

The champion, seeking to once again defend the belt that he captured from Whittaker in 2019, prevailed in the main event in Houston, Texas via unanimous decision.

The Nigerian-born athlete, who this week signed a lucrative new contract with the UFC, was superior for the majority of an albeit close encounter against the division’s No 1-ranked challenger, eventually winning 48-47, 48-47, 49-46.

Adesanya, 22-1 in professional mixed martial arts, retained the middleweight crown for the fourth time — he has also previously successfully defended the interim title, too — to reinforce his position as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

Asked in the post-bout press conference how he rated his performance, Adesanya said: “Seven out of 10. Not bad. Good night in the office. Good chess match.”

While the encounter was keenly contested, Adesanya’s victory did appear justified. The New Zealand resident, 32, even recorded a flash knockdown of his Australian rival in the first round, with Whittaker claiming afterwards that he believed still that he had in fact “done enough” to win instead.

“He did not win that fight, and he knows it,” Adesanya said. “He needs to go have a shower as well and reflect and realise that's not true … You don't do 'enough' to win the title. You take the belt. That's how this works.”

Israel Adesanya lands a punch on Robert Whittaker during their fight at UFC 271. AFP

In defeating Whittaker, Adesanya snapped the former champion’s three-fight win streak. Whittaker, 31, had not lost since the original meeting between the two, at