Significant Stats | UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker 2

Key Stats: 65.5% significant strike defense (tied 5th all-time among MW), 83.3% takedown defense (tied 5th all-time among MW), 11 knockdowns landed (3rd all-time among MW)

RELATED: Adesanya's Best Moments | Fighter Timeline: Adesanya & Whittaker

What It Means: Considered one of the most sophisticated strikers on the whole roster, Adesanya’s keen sense of range and timing make him a slippery and dangerous puzzle on the feet. He is patient, but not lackadaisical, in his approach, constantly feinting and making reads. His offense often stems from low leg kicks and body kicks, and then he’ll string together combinations accordingly. When countering, he has become adept at sliding back but staying in range to fire off a few counter hooks, making the most of his elusive head movement. He is disciplined when fending off takedowns, making a point to stuff his opponent’s head and sprawl or to dig underhooks along the fence and circle away. 

Robert Whittaker

Key Stats: 34% takedown accuracy, 4.73 strikes landed per minute (9th all-time among MW), 7 knockdowns landed (8th all-time among MW)

What It Means: “The Reaper” is well-rounded to a devastating level, and presents a unique blend of quickness, power and tenacity in the middleweight division. He darts in and out of range with ease and moves lightly on his feet. His jab comes from down low and is quick, and he strings his takedowns together well off that jab. He also likes to throw a 1-2 followed by a right side high kick. It’s a combination he lands consistently, so the set up for it is clearly deceptive.

ORDER NOW: UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker 2

What to Look For in the Fight: The common thought is that Whittaker’s best road to regaining his belt is to mix things up and use his whole skill set, so it’s not a matter of if, but rather when, he decides to shoot for a takedown. While Adesanya has been very successful in staying on his feet, Whittaker has a keen sense of both timing and surprise when shooting. On the feet, Adesanya is the more diverse striker, and he never really had to deviate from Plan A in their first fight as Whittaker kept throwing himself into the fire and ate several counter shots. Look for Whittaker to time Adesanya’s kicks as a way to enter on a takedown, and if the fight stays on the feet, expect a more patient and measured approach from both.

Co-Main Event: Derrick Lewis vs Tai Tuivasa

Derrick Lewis

Key Stats: 13 KO/TKO wins (1st all-time), 17 wins (2nd all-time among HW), 50.1% significant strike accuracy (8th)

MORE UFC 271: Countdown | Public Events Schedule

What It Means: “The Black Beast” is an explosive knockout artist who embraces a “swang-and-bang” style that embodies the best of heavyweight brawling. Lewis is completely comfortable waiting for his opponent to enter the pocket before he unleashes bombs of his own because when he connects, few heavyweights stay upright. Because of his patient approach and opponent’s generally respecting his power, a lot of his finishes come in the second and third rounds. He’s not a hands-only striker, either. He will throw flying knees, jumping switch kicks and high kicks seemingly out of nowhere when the fight is at range.

Tai Tuivasa

Key Stats: 84.6% takedown defense (tied 1st all-time among MW), 1.07 knockdowns averaged per 15 minutes (4th), 59.1% significant strike defense (tied 8th)

View Cannonier's Athlete Profile | Cannonier Unfazed

What It Means: Cannonier is a powerful force at middleweight with great strength and knockout power that carries deep into fights. When he’s on his game, Cannonier is walking his opponents down and throwing tight, technical shots that make the most efficient use of his natural power. His physical strength really shows itself when opponents shoot for takedowns. He has technically sound defense, but along the fence, he can really find leverage and create gaps for escape because he is so strong. On the feet, he has powerful leg kicks, and he’ll string punches off that to great effect.

Derrick Brunson

Key Stats: 9 finishes (2nd all-time among MW), 40.2% control time percentage (9th all-time among MW), 32 takedowns (7th all-time among MW)

RELATED: Derek Brunson's Endgame

What It Means: Brunson, particularly on his recent five-fight winning streak, has displayed a more mindful approach that takes advantage of his explosiveness. On the feet, he has power, and where he used to wing wild punches, he now throws tight, technical combinations. When things get a little stagnant or hairy on the feet, he does well to time his opponent’s strikes for a takedown attempt and does well to maintain top control from there. His ground-and-pound is malicious, and he has a little bit of unpredictability to his striking that makes things all the more dangerous.

What to Look For in the Fight: While both fighters carry knockout power, Brunson’s path of least resistance stems from his ability to get Cannonier onto the mat. That’s easier said than done, and Cannonier has not only shown the ability to fend off takedowns, but also time an uppercut on his opponent. Brunson could be served well to press Cannonier against the fence, particularly early in the fight. While it might seem like Cannonier has the striking advantage, he’ll need to be mindful of throwing low kicks, as it gives Brunson a chance to initiate a grappling exchange.

Roxanne Modafferi

Key Stats: 3.83 takedowns per 15 minutes, 5.48 strikes landed per minute, 50% takedown accuracy

What It Means: “King” is a marauding, pressure fighter with a nasty streak and particularly good finishing instincts. On the feet, she continues to improve her arsenal, but where she shines is when she gets her hands on her opponent and has her way with them. She is physically very strong and has good grappling technique, especially when on top. Her ground-and-pound is vicious, and she definitely has a mean streak when imposing her will. Whether the window is for strikes or a submission, O’Neill sniffs it out and attacks accordingly.

View O'Neill's Athlete Profile

What to Look For in the Fight: This is a great test for O’Neill as Modafferi sometimes struggles more with hyper-athletic opponents. While O’Neill is definitely athletic, Modafferi will test her grappling and ability to maintain top control. The early exchanges along the cage will be telling, as well, especially if O’Neill can have her way with Modafferi the way she has with her opponents so far, but that’s easier said than done with “The Happy Warrior.” Fighting Modafferi can turn into a frustrating experience for a prospect because of the veteran’s overall grit and patient, technical approach.