UFC 254: Robert Whittaker beats Jared Cannonier, Tai Tuivasa KOs Stefan Struve
Australia's former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker made a statement and Tai Tuivasa dropped a savage knockout at UFC 254.
Whittaker took a unanimous decision win over Jared Cannonier (29-28 x3) at Abu Dhabi's Fight Island to rocket back into contention for a rematch with reigning 185lbs champion Israel Adesanya, the Kiwi star to whom he lost his belt. Such a fight could fill a stadium in either Australia or New Zealand, COVID-19 allowing.
'The Reaper' looked strong in a fiercely contested first round against Cannonier, before dominating the American for the remainder of the fight, putting the result beyond doubt in a damaging third round.
"I thought it was a pretty good fight. I had a very good game plan set up," he said afterwards.
Tai Tuivasa moves in for the knockout against Stefan Struve at UFC 254. Getty
Meanwhile, 'Bam Bam' Tuivasa snapped a three-fight losing streak by crushing Struve with a monster right uppercut at the end of the first round.
With his UFC future somewhat under a cloud, Tuivasa made an emphatic bid to continue in MMA's premier promotion and celebrated with a trademark 'shoey' after leaving the Octagon.
Struve, nicknamed 'The Skyscraper' due to his 213cm height, copped an unfortunate second KO blow from Tuivasa as the Aussie celebrated.
