[wind whooshing] >> Narrator:
On February 12th, the most epic combat
rivalry in Oceania, enters its second chapter. >> Jon Anik: Well the biggest
fight in Australian/New Zealand mixed martial arts
history awaits us. >> Joe Rogan: You want to
talk about the magnitude of this fight–biggest weigh-in
we've ever had by far! [woman singing]
♪When the stars all align ♪ ♪ I will turn these
hands of time ♪ >> Narrator: New Zealand's
greatest fighter of all-time, is reigning UFC middleweight
champion, Israel Adesanya. >> Anik: He has taken
this sport by storm. He moves every needle,
celebrity and otherwise, that you would want him to move. >> Daniel Cormier: Israel
Adesanya has that thing, that draws people to them, that
makes friends all gather to watch you perform. He's a great fighter
and he always brings it. >> Narrator: Who in 2019,
entered enemy territory, to seize the belt from
an Australian icon.
>> Cormier: Oh! >> Anik: Whittaker
nearly out on his feet! Adesanya trying to close it out! >> Cormier: It's over!
>> Anik: Israel Adesanya… >> Cormier: It's over! >> Anik: …is the undisputed
king of the middleweights! >> That was a
beautiful knockout. Gave him the Bobby Knuckles. >> Cormier: Man, just a
fantastic performance by Adesanya. >> But he story is not over. >> Narrator: The heartbreaking
performance in front of nearly 60,000 fans on home soil,
is former champ, Robert Whittaker's only loss in
the past seven years. >> Didn't get the "W" today,
but I'm not going anywhere! >> Anik: Chapter one goes to
Israel Adesanya and perhaps these two gentlemen
are destined to fight again.
>> Narrator: And the once
undisputed king is ready to reclaim his throne. >> Cormier:
Embrace the darkness. [grunting] >> Dan Hardy: Oh!
>> Paul Felder: He dropped him! >> We built on
that first fight… [grunting]
>> John Gooden: Rejuvenated. Revitalized.
>> Anik: Ooh! >> Whittaker: …I
came back much better. >> Anik: Cannonier in
a world of trouble! He retreats! Oh, Whittaker going
to finish this fight! >> Whittaker: And I'm
excited to get back at him.
>> Michael Bisping: You see
the fire that burns, the longing that he has to
become the champion of the world once again. >> Joe: It's the fight! It has to happen! [woman singing] ♪ I found a
match and I'm ready to light ♪ >> Joe: And here we are again, the most important rematch. >> Anik: Robert Whittaker
with a head-kick! Oh, Whittaker pouring it on now! And that is it! Robert Whittaker has done it! >> Adesanya: Bobby
Knuckles, my arch nemesis… >> Anik: That is it! Quick night at the office for
the champion, Israel Adesanya! >> Whittaker, I'm
the **** king, ****! >> Narrator: Before the world's
best middleweights close the show, it's a heavyweight
clash in the co-main event…
>> Gooden: Two big alpha
males in that Octagon. >> Narrator: …as Australian
rising star, Tai Tuivasa… >> Joe: He fights with so much
reckless abandon and so much passion for combat. >> Narrator: …carries the
momentum of four straight knockouts… >> Anik: Down goes Sakai! The clean KO! Tai Tuivasa! Get him a shoe, get him a beer! >> Narrator: …into a high
stakes bout with the KO king. [commentators shouting] >> Anik: There it is! >> Narrator: Former two
time title challenger…
>> Bisping: Oh! >> Brendan Fitzgerald:
Lewis does it again! >> Narrator: …the owner of the
most knockouts in UFC history. >> Fitzgerald: Oh and
Lewis puts him out! >> Narrator: "The Black
Beast" Derrick Lewis! >> Fitzgerald: Do
you believe it! He is alone at the
top of the mountain. >> Narrator: It all goes
down in H-Town, when the worldwide
leader returns with another
can't miss pay-per-view event. [woman singing] ♪ I'm a
soldier I'm ready to fight ♪ >> Narrator: But
first, get ready… >> Sweep the legs!
Sweep the legs! That's it! Beautiful! >> Narrator: …for UFC 271… >> Tuivasa: I
reckon you get past me. [men cheering] >> Narrator: Countdown. [woman singing]
♪ Ready to rise ♪ >> Narrator: New South Wales is
home to two fighters who have seized UFC gold; reigning featherweight champion,
Alexander Volkanovski… >> Anik: Oh, huge ground
strikes from Volkanovski! >> Felder: Unbelievable! >> Herb Dean: Fight back! >> Anik: This could be the end!
[end of round horn blares] >> Everyone back
home in Australia, I did this for you.
>> Narrator: …and former
middleweight king, Robert Whittaker. [man over P.A.]: Next,
ladies and gentlemen, is former UFC
middleweight champion, will be with you guys
very shortly. >> Narrator: But it was
the latter who first led the charge
for Australia. >> Hey, boss, how
are you doing? Good? >> Narrator: And The Reaper
is beloved by his people. >> We're down here for a
little meet and greet. I'm launching some
new, exclusive shirts. Alright, put up a pretty fight! >> I love it honestly. He's probably one of the
best Australian athletes. >> Whittaker: Thank you
for your support, brother. >> Everything Australia
is as a fighter– he's never
out of a fight. >> Woman: Thank you so much. >> Whittaker:
Pleasure's all mine.
Thank you. >> Nice to meet you.
>> Thanks for coming down. To be able to get down here and
see my fans and feed off that energy a little bit, it's mind
blowing to see that I've created this sort of
atmosphere and culture. >> Narrator: Whittaker's
trailblazing began when he won The Ultimate Fighter
for Team Australia. >> Anik: He is the last
hope for Team Australia. Robert Whittaker. Oh, and that Whittaker
shot floors Brad Scott! He's in trouble! >> Narrator: He's been
giving back ever since. >> Anik: And the crowd
going nuts for Whittaker, as they have done all week long. >> The contract's a bonus, but
the real joy was just defending my country and
making everyone proud. >> Narrator: From appearances…
>> Whittaker:
Thank you very much. >> Woman: Thank you. I didn't
even sleep last night, because I was so
excited to see you. >> Whittaker: Thank you so much. >> Narrator: …to
training facilities that welcome all comers. >> Man: And go! Get to the side!
Get to the side! Go! Go! Go! >> Whittaker: A lot of love
and care has gone into the construction of this gym.
Everyone got involved to get
this up to what it is today, a five star gym. I'm glad we can give that to
our card members and I'm glad we can offer
that to new ones. It's not my right to train in a
facility like this, surrounded by good
people like you. It is my privilege to train in
a facility like this and to train with
people like you. [audience applauding] >> Whittaker: And thank
you from the bottom of my heart and I'll try
to live up to that and I hope we all try to
live up to that. We're spreading our
morals and values around. As a martial artist, that is kind of what you
want to achieve. [uptempo instrumental music] >> Anik: And a lot of people
think if an Australian is going to breakthrough and
win a UFC title, it could very well be
this man, Robert Whittaker.
>> Hardy: Oh and he
goes down with a knee! >> Gooden: Whittaker is coming
through with some heavy shots! >> Hardy: He goes
down with a knee! >> Gooden: That is it! Robert Whittaker! >> Kenny Florian: Oh! >> Anik: Two early
knockdowns for Whittaker! Tavares is out!
>> Florian: Oh, my gosh! >> Anik: Robert Whittaker! >> Narrator: The
support from Down Under… >> Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! >> Narrator: …fueled
Whittaker's legendary drive.
>> Hardy: Oh! >> Anik: Robert
Whittaker with a head-kick! >> Hardy:
Uppercuts from Whittaker! >> Anik: Down goes Brunson! >> Anik: Robert Whittaker! >> Joe: You're looking at
a guy who is on the rise. He's making his run
towards greatness. >> Anik: Oh! Massive head kick for Whittaker! Oh, Souza's in trouble here. And that is it! >> Brian Stann: Wow! >> Anik: A star
breaks out tonight! >> Narrator: As he
poured his heart and soul into every battle. >> Anik: Tonight, at just
26 years old, he'll try to
complete the mission and become a UFC champion. [Joe and Stann]: Oh! >> Joe: He caught
him with that left! >> Stann: Man,
beautiful left hand! >> Joe: Oh, he rocked him! >> Anik: Oh! Big
left for Romero! >> Joe: Beautiful knee. This really is
who wants it most. These guys are beat down! >> Buffer: Robert
"The Reaper"… >> Narrator: 12 pounds
of interim UFC gold… >> Anik: Oh,
head-kick from Whittaker! [all commentators]: Oh! >> Anik: Massive
right for Romero! [all commentators]: Oh! >> Anik: Head-kick
for Whittaker now! >> Jimmy Smith: Both of these
fighters refusing to go down! >> Narrator: …to become the
undisputed middleweight title.
>> Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! >> Anik: Australia has a
UFC champion, his name is Robert Whittaker. >> Man: Good. [camera
shutter clicks] >> Narrator: Which
would remain with Whittaker at home in Australia… [serene instrumental
music with water splashing] >> Narrator: …until his
greatest rival emerged from across the pitch; an undefeated kickboxer,
turned mma phenom, by the name of Israel Adesanya. >> Anik: So here
is Israel Adesanya. 28 years old. He arrives at the UFC
debut here tonight… >> Smith: The Last Stylebender,
he believes he can do anything. >> Narrator: …who exemplified
the combat spirit of his nation. >> Smith: It's pretty rare
you see a guy make his UFC debut with
this kind of hype. >> Anik: Right.
>> Smith: A lot of eyes on him. >> Fighting is part of
New Zealand's culture. >> Smith: Sometimes that
pressure can be a detriment.
I don't think so with this guy. >> Adesanya: Growing up with
my friends out here, it's just always been a part of
the culture that bravado, that one ounce type of thing. There's ways to hone that and
use it for the greater good, which is this I feel. And for me, it's
about the feeling. That's what I care about; the feeling I give
people when I fight. >> Cormier: This is a
fantastic young fighter, with confidence to match. >> Anik: Israel Adesanya! >> Joe: He is one of the highest
level kickboxers you're ever going to see. >> Smith: He has been the boss. He has been the bully. He has led the dance. >> Anik: Ooh! >> Joe: He almost fights
like he's in a karate movie sometimes. >> Adesanya: People talk about
the never ending debate between Michael Jordan and Lebron James. >> Fitzgerald: And The Last
Stylebender is starting to go to work. >> Adesanya: Those who were
around when Jordan was playing, they're like, "Yeah,
this is nice, but you don't
remember the feeling of watching him do what he did." >> Joe: Oh, he tagged him again! >> Felder: Oh! >> Anik: Big left and a right! Now the uppercut and the knee! Brunson is down! >> So I want to give people a
certain feeling when I fight…
>> Felder: Wow! >> Adesanya: …whether
they love me or hate me. >> Joe: That's The
Last Stylebender, folks. >> Because I come in there,
**** showing off and dancing. >> Felder: Whoo-hoo! That kid's the truth. >> Anik: Adesanya touched
Silva with a right hand! >> Joe: I mean he's so
effortless and fluid! >> I want them to
remember that feeling. >> Cormier: Oh! >> Joe: That's the thing
about his arsenal, it's so deep. He can do so many things. His striking IQ is
off the charts. >> Narrator: The
Last Stylebender polarized the masses.. >> Joe: Oh, my goodness. >> Anik: Huge right! [Cormier and Joe]: Oh! >> Anik: Knockdown
for Adesanya now! >> Buffer: Israel…. >> Narrator: …in route
to claiming the UFC interim middleweight title. >> Anik: Well it is the
biggest fight in the history of Australia and New Zealand. The undisputed middleweight
championship is at stake. It will be Adesanya and
Whittaker later in 2019.
>> Narrator: But the
championship fight that immediately followed… >> Man: 56,000 plus will pack
the house, Sunday at UFC 243. >> Narrator: …would
evoke anticipation… >> Whittaker: Thank you, mate. >> Narrator:
…from both Aussies… >> Thank you.
>> Man: Kick ass. >> Whittaker: In this
atmosphere, in this arena, with these numbers–I can see it
being the biggest fight ever. >> Narrator: …and Kiwis alike. >> Adesanya: Robert, he doesn't
want to let everybody down.
[Laughing] Looking good, man. He's in his home country. He doesn't want to
let everyone down. [man rapping] ♪ I
had a better idea ♪ ♪ I had a bigger incentive ♪ >> I'll find the shot
and I'll put him away. [man rapping] ♪ Learned
to embrace the talents ♪ ♪ I'm blessed with ♪ >> Anik: UFC
interim middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya! >> Adesanya: We're going
to blow that place up! You'll ready! Let's go! >> Anik: 185 for the champion… [man rapping] ♪ I
know the secrets of making ♪ ♪ a dream come
true no apology ♪ ♪ Stand tall like a prodigy ♪ ♪ Sincere honesty ♪ ♪ Channel my vision ♪ ♪ Aim for the moon and
reach for the prophecy ♪ >> Anik: We have seen him
develop exponentially from one fight to the next. He is 17-0 and he is a
sponge for mma knowledge. We'll see how much he has
soaked up in advance of this unification bout, as
Israel Adesanya takes on Robert Whittaker. >> Cormier: You know, guys that
have fought at the top of the sport, love
Robert Whittaker. He is a fighter's champion.
Every time he goes in
there, he lays it on the line. This guy is a great champion. He's one of the best fighters
that I've ever seen in the Octagon. Whittaker has to make this
fight a little bit dirty. If it's just a straight
kickboxing match, there aren't many
people in the world that can beat Israel at that. >> Anik: Beautiful jab
from The Last Stylebender. How about the dexterity,
the head movement for Israel Adesanya? Beautiful to watch. >> That night was just perfect. >> Anik: It is amazing how
beloved Robert Whittaker is in the nation, as he tries to find his way
into striking range.
>> Going into enemy territory,
staking my claim. >> Cormier: He's
got Rob chasing him. >> Anik: Oh! Big knockdown! >> Cormier: Big shots by
Izzy, right before the bell. >> Owning a moment. Just expressing
beautiful, violent art. >> Cormier: Oh, hurt
him again with that hook. >> Anik: Oh, beautiful
body work now from Adesanya. >> Cormier: He's starting
to feel himself now, he's starting to
get into his flow. That is not good
for Robert Whittaker.
[all commentators]: Oh! >> Anik: Israel Adesanya is
the undisputed king of the middleweights! >> Adesanya: Everyone that was
supporting me, could walk out of there with their head held high. Like, "Yeah, our guy won." >> Anik: Less than two years
into his UFC career, Israel Adesanya is what he knew
and thought he was; the best middleweight
on planet Earth. >> That feeling is going
to sit with them forever. >> Anik: And perhaps these two
gentlemen are destined to fight again, but
chapter one goes to "The Last Stylebender"
Israel Adesanya. >> Anik: Live inside Marvel
Stadium, here in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia! This is UFC 243:
Whittaker versus Adesanya. Seems to be a feeling here that
these guys might fight more than once. But act one between Robert
Whittaker and Israel Adesanya, is finally upon us. >> Narrator: UFC
middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya's win over
Robert Whittaker in 2019…
[commentators]: Oh! >> Anik: Israel Adesanya is
the undisputed king of the middleweights! >> Narrator: …solidified
his place atop the sport. >> I'm Hollywood now. I'm Hollywood. >> Narrator: And while The Last
Stylebender enjoyed newfound superstardom…
>> Adesanya: Whoo! >> Narrator: He would seek the
challengers most likely to take it all away. >> This guy right here is a
guy that no one ever calls out.
I want to test myself against
everyone of this era who is a beast. >> Joe: Oh!
>> Anik: Yoel Romero! >> Joe: That is an
aggressive, powerful man! >> Stann: Scariest
dude on this UFC roster. >> Adesanya: I just pick
and choose pretty much. I've always kind of
done that low-key. I don't pick easy fights. I pick the toughest guy in the
division at the time and I go after them.
>> Narrator: After
dominating Yoel Romero… >> Adesanya: I do what I
have to do in a fight. I touched him up. And.. still. >> Anik: Brazil's got a
middleweight contender, Paulo Costa! >> [speaking foreign language] I'll see you soon, boy! >> Narrator:
…and Paulo Costa… [kick lands with a thud] >> Felder: This is not looking
good for Paulo Costa. He's getting picked apart here. [Anik and Felder]: Oh! >> Anik: Knockdown for Adesanya! That is it! >> Narrator: …Adesanya
had cleared out the middleweight landscape. >> Narrator: He has left
Anderson Silva, Kelvin Gastelum, Robert Whittaker, Yoel Romero,
and now Paulo Costa in his wake. >> Narrator: So extending an
undefeated streak at 185 pounds and facing the division's
elite for a second time. >> Fastest man in
the world, baby! [birds chirping] [gate slams shut] >> It's a warmup. This is it. [uptempo instrumental music] >> Adesanya: It's not hard to
get motivated for me. >> Felder: Israel Adesanya, man. What's there to say? The guy is as
legit as you can get.
>> Adesanya: I love what I do. >> Cormier: He's one of
the best that's stepped foot in the Octagon and he always wants to take
on the biggest challenges. >> I love this game. I love where I'm
at in my career. It's a lap the division. >> Anik: He's putting himself in
some pretty elite company with what he is doing. >> Adesanya: I
find that exciting. >> Anik: So here he is,
folks: Israel Adesanya. Still undefeated as
a middleweight and he intends to
keep it that way tonight, in what is the
first rematch of his career. On the other side, it's Marvin
Vettori, the latter, trying to become the first
Italian UFC champion. [man rapping] ♪ Live fast
live glad ♪ >> Adesanya: I
have a healthy ego. >> Anik: The Last Stylebender
in search of a third successful middleweight title defense. >> Adesanya: I like to use it
to my advantage like a fire. Use it to make life. >> Joe: What we are seeing here
is Izzy evolved considerably since their first fight and he's
always so much more comfortable.
I mean, he's the champ now. Oh, that one hurt him.
That one hurt him. [man rapping] ♪ Make
the move turn it down ♪ ♪ Getting with us if
you down with us ♪ ♪ Shake the room and
the sound erupts ♪ ♪ Make it boom till
they feel it in the atmosphere ♪ >> But then if I
fan it the wrong way, it can burn the whole
**** down, so… >> Joe: All the stuff that
Izzy's been doing is starting to pile on and Marvin
is fatiguing. >> Adesanya: That can
go two ways, but right now the way it's
going, it's in my favor.
>> Felder: This fight
was all Israel Adesanya. >> Shows true dominance. >> Anik: Israel Adesanya, once
again dominated Marvin Vettori. >> Who wants to get this
next ass-kicking, because he's cleared
out his division? >> I lapped the division at
the top and I did it again. [end of round horn blares] >> Anik: And the path to UFC
middleweight gold and glory, still goes through
Auckland, New Zealand. >> It motivates me, so if my
next three fights are rematches, it doesn't bother me. >> Man: Izzy! >> Anik: We have seen him
develop exponentially from one fight to the next. Now his mixed
martial arts moment. He has take the sport by storm. He moves every needle,
celebrity and otherwise, that you would want him to move. He figures to be facing his
stiffest challenge to date. >> Narrator: Adesanya's next
fight will indeed be another rematch; the man he took the
belt from two years ago and the thrill of his victory,
was matched by the agony of Robert Whittaker's defeat.
>> The overwhelming memory that
I have for that first Adesanya fight, was I want
to rip his head off. >> Anik: The best
middleweight in the world, looking to pick-up precisely
where he left off tonight. >> Whittaker: I
was very emotional. >> Anik: Adesanya has
forced some misses out of Whittaker here early on. >> The pressure, the hype, the
build-up, the fans, the place. >> Cormier: Throwing
big, ol' looping punches. Not being as
straight as he normally is. >> It all kind of got to me. >> Cormier: You got
to be very careful. >> Anik: Oh! [birds chirping] [people playfully laughing] >> Boy: No! No! >> Whittaker: What should I do! Help me! Help me! Ah! Oh, no! Oh, no! I took a step away
from the game, not really with the intention
of coming back. It was kind of just
freeing myself from all that. Help me, John! [child yells] >> Whittaker: And family was
kind of how I knew that I still wanted to be in
there, still wanted to fight.
This is how I wanted
to make a living still. Go! [child laughs]
[Whittaker mimics anguish] >> Whittaker: They're
my driving force for all of it. They put things in perspective,
make you want to achieve something not for
yourself, but for them. >> Narrator: Before
he faced Adesanya, Whittaker had never
lost a fight at 185 pounds. And self reflection following
the unfamiliar experience, also highlighted Whittaker's
need to constantly evolve.
[bell chimes] >> Trainer:
Position, position, position. >> Whittaker: I
lost the easy ones. Good in a way, because I was
having such success with my striking and I was
winning fights via striking, that I didn't need to fix it. >> Nice work. [grunting] >> Whittaker: So I made a lot of
changes with my training and the
way I do things. Implemented more complete
skillsets of what I already had. Mixing in wrestling. Mixing in my striking. I got a better defensive game. And you can just see a
massive improvement. >> Hardy: Oh! >> Felder: He dropped him! >> Gooden: Here he is,
rejuvenated, revitalized, and on a quest to get
his title back. Whittaker really did
re-lite that fire. >> Felder: This one's for him
to get back in there, to hunt that title again.
>> Narrator: Following his
first defeat in a half decade, Whittaker came roaring back… >> Cormier: Robert
Whittaker has dominated. >> Anik: Ooh! Cannonier in a world of trouble! He retreats! >> Narrator: …showing any
oncoming contenders that he remains a cut above the rest. >> I thought Cannonier was
going to be a much tougher challenge for him. He looked good tonight. >> Bisping: He looks sensational
and I wonder what the champ is thinking right now.
>> Michael Chiesa: I'm at a
loss for words for Whittaker's performance. What a masterclass. >> Bisping: We're going to see
a rematch of Whittaker versus Adesanya. >> Alan Jouban: Any type
of confusion in the middleweight division. It's done. This is the man that
gets the next title shot. >> Dana White: Nobody is jumping
over Whittaker, he's next. >> Bruce Buffer: Live from the
Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia! It's… time! >> Narrator: The rematch between
middleweight king, Israel Adesanya and
former champion, Robert Whittaker, is official. >> Buffer:
…championship of the world! >> Narrator: While the most
highly anticipated fight in Oceania's history will take
place in Houston, Texas, the stories of UFC
271's headliners, highlight the great nations
they represent. From the Australian Outback,
to the Islands of New Zealand, these destinations are hailed
as some of the most beautiful places on the planet. >> We are in Dunedin, South
Island on New Zealand. I don't visit the South
Island as often as I'd like to.
It's a chill pace compared
to the hustle and bustle of Auckland. And the scenery as well. After this fight, I'm
definitely going to explore the South Island
a little bit more. >> Narrator: On this day, The
Harbor City of Dunedin plays host to up
and coming Kiwis and the national hero
always takes time to support
the next generation. [crowd cheering] >> Eugene Bareman: Dear, Lord,
thank you for giving us this wonderful opportunity
for the team to show off their talent tonight, Lord. We just ask that you protect all
the fighters and protect all the boys tonight. We ask that you
give them strength. We ask that you give
the corner wisdom. Everything that we do
tonight is in your name, Lord. Thank you. Amen.
[everyone in unison "Amen"] >> Bareman: Cool. >> Let's go, brother.
>> Bareman: Baby! Baby!
[clapping] You're up. >> Adesanya: You need
events like this to cultivate the youth. It's important to show up
for them as well, because this is their biggest
fight of their life. Nice, J-son! Do that again! I just want to show
those guys that they matter. You adapted in that third
round and you showed heart. Man, good ****.! Be proud. Be proud. My man. Go say "Thanks" to the corner. It means a lot when guys
like myself take time out to go support them and help them out. Let's go. Let's go. >> Yeah.
>> Bring it out. Bring it out. That was beautiful.
>> Thanks for coming out. >> Let's go. Ah, let's go! They're always here to help
us get ready for world title fights. So same thing, when
we come here, we help them for their fights.
Do what you do. That's it! Good counter! Feints, more feints!
Bring it back. Oh! My, gosh! [bell chimes] >> Not
much to tell you, brother. >> Fighter: Thank you. >> That was a much
better round on your feet. >> Fighter: Yes, sir. >> Focus. Focus. Be sharp. Oh! That's it, Adam. He's been waiting for this. Let's go, Adam. What an awesome
night for our team. We came in and we conquered. You are **** amazing!
You are **** amazing! I love it! You're **** the man. I'm getting chills
thinking about it. I'm inspired. That was beautiful. That right there–masterclass. Masterclass. ****! Let's go. We're the best. That's it.
That's it. Say less. >> Narrator: The pride of
a nation runs just as deep in New Zealand, as it does across the ditch, where Adesanya's next opponent, is also supporting
local athletes. >> Man: Let's go. Light! Pummel light! 30 seconds, light! You have to fight
being fatigued. >> Narrator: For Robert
Whittaker, that means welcoming the National Rugby
League's Pendrith Panthers to his home gym. >> 30 seconds
we're going to fight. Hard for double unders,
put it down. >> Narrator: Where the NRL's
Premiership winners, continue a
wrestling regiment…
[whistle blows] >> Narrator:
…that has bolstered their performances on the turf. >> Commentator: The
Penrith Panthers, with good attacking
position here. >> Narrator: Impact of
wrestling in NRL is massive. >> Commentator:
Luai back! Burton into a hole and
he's into the end goal area for a try! >> It affects slowing
the play of the ball down. You're competing tackling. >> Commentator: The challenges
are there, thick and fast.
The Panthers celebrate
the Premiers of '21. >> Whittaker: Every team
has a wrestling coach. >> Go! >> Whittaker: Our's
is just the best. [chanting] [group chanting in unison] >> We're always
looking to improve. Just trying to expose our
team and our guys to something a little bit
different and fresh. [unintelligible
commands shouted] >> Clearly: Get
some strength out of it, some conditioning, which is very
relevant to our support. [grunting] >> Whittaker: To
be involved with such an elite level team of like-minded
individuals, makes a big
difference in the gym. >> Narrator: The Panthers train
alongside The Reaper, as he prepares to
represent Australia in the February 12th rematch
with New Zealand's Israel Adesanya. >> Man: Now that
it's almost time to fight, we can put this whole Australia
versus New Zealand I think to bed.
>> It was never a
country versus country. It was me versus Izzy. >> Narrator: But the storied
rivalry between nations, won't distract Whittaker
from the task at hand. >> The Australian-New
Zealand rivalry, that was one of the things that
got in my head the first fight, honestly. I made such a big
thing out of it. >> Adesanya: We got two guys
from this side of the world, the rivalry between
Aussies and Kiwis.
That's not going to end
here, I guarantee you that. >> Man: >> Different man:
56,000 plus, will pack the house Sunday at
UFC 243. >> Whittaker: Robert, he doesn't
want to let everyone down. He's in his home country,
he does't want to let everyone down. [grunting] >> Trainer: Nice. >> Now I don't care. Personally I just want
to try and get that back.
[grunting] >> Trainer: Beautiful. [grunting] >> Whittaker: All I know is that
I'm very confident going into this next fight. I'm going in
there as the best me. [grunting] >> Trainer: Right hand.
[grunting] >> Whittaker: Going
in there with my head the way I need it to be
and want it to be. I'm going in there with my
skill-set and my confidence in my skillset. I'm going to give my best go at
this and that will satisfy me. >> Trainer: And again. [grunting] >> Good training, Rob.
Nice work. [seagulls squawking] >> Narrator: Former
champion, Robert Whittaker is 12-1 in his last 13 fights. But that sole blemish in the
2019 title bout with Israel Adesanya… >> Buffer: The
Last Stylebender…. >> Narrator: … is one he
now has the opportunity to get back. [lights flickering on] >> Narrator: In preparing for
the February 12th rematch, Whittaker is focusing on the
sweet science, with a legend of the craft; six time world champion coach and boxing
Hall-of-Famer, Johnny Lewis. >> Commentator: And we
could have a real cracker.
Long time trainer,
Johnny Lewis there with him. Has worked all his
life for this moment. There's the left
uppercut, which was a peach! Combinations and
there's the left hands. It's over! The fight finishes dramatically! >> With this guy,
I suddenly put… [pads rapidly
thumping from strikes] >> Johnny Lewis knows
what he's doing. He's got a good head for the
sport and he's a got a big personality and
presence in the gym. >> Go in with it
and then hook short. [grunting]
>> Trainer: Nice. >> Whittaker: When
he's watching, or when he's urging you on to
work harder, to work faster. You want to do that for him. >> Lewis: Right-left-right. Then we got the left
first and then deliver it. Aim and then shorten it up. Nice and crisp. >> He just has that
veteran mind, that experience
behind the wheel, that you just
absolutely believe in him. >> Narrator: Boxing may be where
Adesanya bested Whittaker… >> Hardy: Oh! >> Gooden: Oh, but
he caught him there! >> Narrator: But Whittaker's
three consecutive wins that followed…
>> Anik: Defensive movement from
Whittaker and a big right hand! >> Narrator: …showcased
The Reaper's newly refined striking skills. >> Dominick Cruz: One-two-three. >> Bisping: Look at that! I mean, come on. >> Cruz: All Whittaker's weapons
compliment the next strike that he's going to throw. >> Rob is punching extremely
hard and he's not missing the target. >> Gooden: There's a lot
of power in these punches. It is an absolute weapon. >> Lewis: If he hits two
within a round, we will be going home early. >> Gooden: Here he is,
rejuvenated, revitalized, and on a quest to get
his title back. >> Trainer: There he is. >> Felder: Oh, man. >> I want to be like a
better version of myself. >> Anik: This Whittaker
performance might be resonating with the middleweight
champion, Israel Adesanya. >> Lewis: And
then drop the right on him. >> Cormier: I mean,
he's gotten better, right? >> I feel like I've
ticked a lot of those boxes.
>> Cormier: This Robert
Whittaker looks so much better than the guy that
fought Izzy for the title. >> Bisping: I mean Robert is
just one step ahead every single transition. >> But this next fight will
be the biggest box to tick. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! [men yelling "Oi! Oi! Oi!"] >> Bisping; That was
truly a masterpiece and I can't wait for the rematch
with Adesanya. >> Nice timing. [classical instrumental music] [water splashing] >> Narrator: Team
Adesanya is acutely aware that Whittaker's approach to
the rematch will be vastly different than
the first contest. But drastic alterations to a
training camp, can have adverse effects. [engine revs] [turn signal indicator clicking] >> It's always very interesting
to see what the other opponent is going to do to
change the outcome.
When you lose in the
fashion that Robert lost… >> Cormier: A lot of big actions
by Robert Whittaker, throwing big, ol'
looping punches. >> From a coaching perspective,
there is so much scope for change. Anytime you get a great
trainer like Johnny Lewis, it's going to add to your game. [grunting] >> Bareman: But I
will say this… [grunting] >> Bareman: …there is 100
percent danger when fighters start to get too
much input from too many different faces.
[instrumental music] >> Narrator: Adesanya
prepares his usual, knowing that even if
Whittaker's training camp is crowded… >> Jab. Three -two. >> Narrator: …the former
champ's mental fortitude can't be questioned. [punches landing with a thud] >> Adesanya: The
way he's approached the fight, let's me know he's taking
the first step in accepting that I was
better than him that night. >> Cormier: It's that
right hook counter. Every time Robert jumps in
there, that right hook counter is landing beautifully. >> Bareman: Three-three. Go. [grunting]
>> Bareman: Go. >> Adesanya: He's going to come
up with a different game plan, different strategies.
>> Bareman: One-two minus. [grunting]
>> Go. >> And I'm preparing better
than I did the first time. >> Anik: And that speaks to the
evolution of the all-around game of Adesanya. >> Narrator: It's Australia
versus New Zealand, once again on February 12th, as Whittaker… >> Cruz: He's made
adjustments to get the title and face Adesanya next. I'm excited. >> Narrator: …and Adesanya… >> Anik: One of
the most dynamic, layered strikers and of
course a game that has continued
to round itself into form. >> Narrator: …run it back in
the prime of their careers, for undisputed
middleweight glory. >> Me and him are not the same. We're not on the same level. I've knocked him out
twice in one fight. >> Joe: The way he
understands timing and distance is unparalleled. >> So, I'm going to
finish him again.
>> Felder: He makes
it look easy, no matter what he is doing. >> Joe: He is the most
sophisticated striker in the sport. >> Felder: Oh! >> Cormier: But this Robert
Whittaker looks so much better than the guy that
fought Izzy for the title. >> Whittaker: It is
going to be a hard fight. >> Cormier: Oh!
>> Felder: Oh, my goodness. >> He's the champ for a reason. >> Joe: He does things that
other people just don't do inside the Octagon. >> Felder: You never
know where he's going. >> I think I have the
skill-set to beat him. >> Bisping: Look at that. I mean, come on! >> Cormier: These in and
out actions, these angles– this is what made Robert
Whittaker so special. >> I'm stacking
every chip in my favor.
>> Cormier: I mean
he's gotten better. He went away and he
actually got better. >> We'll see whose night
it is when we get there. [crowd chanting "Bobby! Bobby!"] >> Cheese:
This is the fight to make. Let them have this great battle
that they had once before. >> Narrator: UFC 271's co-main
event, will be a heavyweight showcase between proven
knockout artists… [car door slams shut] >> Narrator: …for
Tai Tuivasa, 12 of his 13 career
wins have come by KO. And the proud Australian has
taken training camp to the U.A.E. >> Trainer:
Alright, let's go, guys! Get the job going! >> Tuivasa: Coming over
here has been awesome. >> Trainer: Back to normal. >> I've done four
camps here now. >> Trainer: Pick
it up a little bit. Run the way around. Let's go. Right shoulder. >> Tuivasa: Mainly because
it was Covid in Australia. >> Trainer: And again,
let's go, get them up! Three! Two! One! Time! March over.
Let's go, please. Time for shadow. >> Tuivasa: I just thought, "You
know, I need to get out of here, to make sure that I can
keep fighting and keep feeding my family." >> Trainer: Time. Alright, bring it in. Do your stretches, please. Make sure you stretch. >> Narrator: Of the Aussie
transplants that make up Tuivasa's camp, childhood friend and head coach, Shaun Sullivan, knows
Bam Bam the best. [singing] ♪ We're all
in this together ♪ >> Narrator: Has guided
his career since Tuivasa was a mma newcomer. >> Trainer: Any questions? Okay, nice and warm. Let's go. >> Tai used to train to
basically lose weight. And then when the fight came,
that was like his fun part. [grunting] >> Sullivan: Nice. Beautiful. Beautiful. You know, you see
as he walks out, he really enjoys it. He embraces the opportunity
to perform under those bright lights.
>> Joe Martinez: Here
is the undefeated Tai "Bam Bam" Tuivasa! >> Narrator: After just six
professional wins, Tuivasa found himself
competing in the UFC. >> Hardy: Oh and a big knee! Oh!
>> Gooden: That's it! >> Hardy: Tai Tuivasa! >> Western Sydney, baby! >> Hardy: He has arrived in
the UFC's heavyweight division. >> Now I'm here and
I'm here to stay. >> Smith: Don't let that jiggle
fool you, he's an explosive, strong guy. >> Buffer: Bam Bam! >> Smith: Tuivasa all over him! >> Anik: Oh! Mean elbow! Are you kidding me! >> Smith: Destruction! >> I just want to fight
and keep getting paid, baby. >> Anik: Hates to
train, loves to eat, but make no mistake about it,
he's a big game player.
>> Joe: Tuivasa with
an elbow over the top. Arlovski's in trouble. >> Buffer: Tai "Bam Bam!"… >> Can you lend me your shoe? >> I'm not lending my shoe.
>> Come on. >> You're going to have to do
that with somebody else, bro. He drinks beer out
of shoes, folks. >> Narrator: With his
personality front and center, Tuivasa learned like most, that the biggest
stage in martial arts requires a
different level of dedication.
[yelling] >> Trainer: While you're
getting warmed up, I'll tell you what
you're doing today. Your strength stuff you're going
to do is going to be squats and abandoned land mind press. And you got the
sledge push at the end. Shaun told me to tell you that
when he got in today, so….that's at the end.
[Laughing] >> Initially even
when he started in the UFC, I think Tai was
naturally just a fighter. >> Drive it forward. [grunting]
>> Trainer: Good. He used to love the fight
aspect of the sport, but the training aspect he
didn't really at all.
>> Trainer: Snap the hips. [grunting] >> Trainer: Good. Rest. >> Trainer: When
you lose, you learn and then you start to have a
real good hard look at yourself and he realized that he needed
to change a few things. >> Trainer: Last one. Up! Nice and tight. >> Trainer: Now he's really
like buying into the training sort of things and he's looking
to try and up skill himself in all areas of the game. [man rapping] ♪ Yeah I'm Gotti ♪ ♪ I'm going to die
for the grind ♪ >> Trainer: He's now starting to
embrace martial arts side of mma. [man rapping] ♪ I
can't lie or manage time ♪ >> Sullivan: His fight IQ is
getting extremely bright.
I think that is
showing in his performances. [man rapping] ♪ They be
with it for the sign ♪ ♪ till they found me ♪ >> Narrator: After a
string of defeats, Tuivasa would find the balance
of fun and professionalism. >> Cormier: Oh, big
shots landed for Tuivasa. >> Narrator: So the
knockouts continued. >> Anik: Tai Tuivasa
gets it done! Bam Bam is back in a big way. [commentators]: Oh! >> Fitzgerald: Tuivasa
wobbles and sends him down! >> Bisping: It's over! >> Fitzgerald: First round
knockout! Find him a shoe! >> Felder: Get him a shoe! >> Joe: Who has more
fun than Tai Tuivasa? >> Cormier: Nobody. [commentators]: Oh! >> Anik: Hardy goes down! Tai Tuivasa has
knocked out Greg Hardy! >> Cormier: Tuivasa
is out of his mind! >> Joe: He is such an animal.
>> He wanted to bang with me. I'm not the right
guy to bang with. Pick another bloke. >> Cormier: This man took losing
those fights and applied it to his training. >> Joe: Tuivasa is all over him. >> Anik: Sakai's hurt! >> Joe: Big trouble. That's it! That's it!
>> Anik: Down goes Sakai! The clean
KO for Tai Tuivasa! >> Whoo! >> Narrator: But in order
to extend his four fight knockout
streak to five… >> Cormier: They want the Shoey.
[Joe laughing] >> Narrator: Tuivasa will
need to take down the KO king at UFC 271.
>> Fitzgerald: Knockout
power unlike any other heavyweight
in the UFC. >> Cruz: When he
connects, he puts you out. >> Joe: Oh, big
shots by Derrick! That's it! And the guy has hammers! >> Narrator: Highlight
reel knockouts are abundant at heavyweight. >> Anik: Derrick Lewis, yet
another finish! >> Cruz: He's done it
time and time again. >> Narrator: Houston's
Derrick Lewis, tallied enough to tie the record
for most KOs in any division.
[Joe screaming] >> Anik: There it is! >> Cruz: Oh, he gets it! >> Anik: Volkov's out! The Black Beast! >> Fitzgerald: He is alone
at the top of the mountain! Most UFC knockouts
for a heavyweight! Oh, big right! Lewis does it again! >> Bisping: Wow! >> Fitzgerald: Do
you believe it! >> Narrator: He had the
chance to break that record in his most recent outing. >> Fitzgerald: Derrick Lewis can
own the UFC knockout record, if he gets it done by that
method, against Chris Daukaus. >> The fight played
exactly like my coach wanted. >> That's it. Keep control of the cage. There it is, baby. >> Lewis: He wanted me to push
him against the cage and just blast on him. >> Bisping: Oh! >> Fitzgerald: And
a left combination! Lewis is punching big now! >> Lewis: It's
exactly what we did. >> Fitzgerald: Oh and
Lewis puts him out! There is your knockout king! The most
knockouts in UFC history, belongs to Derrick Lewis and Derrick Lewis alone! >> It's cool to have the
most knockouts in UFC history.
All the greats that
came here before me and they didn't
achieve what I did. >> Narrator: Although he owns
the record for most knockouts, Lewis is yet to own
a UFC world title. >> Thanks, man. Tear it up out there. I know you will. >> Narrator: And had his second
shot at a heavyweight belt against former title
challenger, Ciryl Gane, not taking place
in his hometown, Lewis may very
well be the champion today. >> John Morgan: How perfect
is this situation, right? I mean you're getting a
chance to fight for the title. It's in Houston. I mean could you have drawn it
up any more perfect than this? >> Lewis: It don't feel real
that I'm fighting for the belt here in my hometown. >> Morgan: At this point in
your career, does it mean more? I mean is this a special
moment to have a belt? >> Lewis: Umm–I don't know, still really not even
thinking about that. My mind is still
really not on the title. >> When we took the fight,
we were so excited, you know? Fighting for the
interim title here at home.
You know, we were
going to do this. And as time progressed,
especially going into fight week, I definitely saw a side
of Derrick that I honestly haven't seen before. >> I don't want to fight at my
home, especially a main event again in my hometown. Uh–I thought it would be cool,
but it's a lot of pressure. [camera beeps] >> How has the
week been treating you, Derrick? >> The week has been crazy. Yeah, it's nerve wracking, man–
makes me nervous just thinking about it. >> Cormier: He said with all
this, the circumstances, the ovation of the crowd–there
comes an added pressure and he had been
feeling it all week. >> I was battling my mind
more than I was battling Gane. >> Cormier: It only takes one
for Derrick Lewis to blow the roof off this place.
>> Cruz: There's something
he's seeing from Gane that's throwing him off. >> Lewis: The nerves and
everything that the fight went. >> Fight back! Let's go! >> Anik: Ciryl Gane on
the cusp of a world title! And that is it! >> ****! >> Anik: Derrick Lewis
just unable to get things going tonight. >> It just took a toll on me. [instrumental music] >> I think Derrick king able to
fight so quickly again, here back home,
is just a great opportunity. He's going to really want to
give the fans a better showing, a better outing and hopefully
get the "W" here against Tai.
>> Narrator: After bouncing back
with a vintage knockout win, Lewis has this chance to redeem
himself on home soil, in the UFC 271 co-main event
against Tai Tuivasa. >> Lewis: Coming into this
fight, I feel like I owe Houston a lot and I feel like it's
my redemption fight for them. Tuivasa can go out there
and he likes to swing and that's what
I like to do too. It's going to be a fun fight, but I believe I can get the job
done for the fans. [birds squawking] >> Narrator: Back in
the U.A.E., Tuivasa continues training camp
a half a world away from his loved
ones in Australia.
>> Tuivasa: One Baba ghanoush. This one, brother. Yeah? >> Narrator: And while
destinations with less restrictions are necessary for
adequate preparation, the time away from
family is never easy. >> Island boy. [men laughing] >> Tuivasa: You know, I've gone
through a lot of **** times in my life
and this **** gets, the more better I try to get out
of it and make it work, so… I got a good group
of people around me. Always learning and
trying to get better. >> You're coming to eat.
[laughing] >> Narrator: Luckily for
Tuivasa, he is able to bring some family with him, such as
brother-in-law and UFC light heavyweight,
Tyson Pedro. [dramatic instrumental music] >> Pedro: He's one of the few
people that even since we were a kid, is just able
to find his target. Like a lot of people can punch
as hard as Tai, but he's just able to find the
chin and put people to sleep.
>> Trainer: Let's go! [shouting unintelligible
instructions] >> First technique, guys. Someone goes to
shoot on you, you do one of these,
or one of these. >> He's really ramped it up now. He's looking very good in
wrestling, very strong. >> Jump. Jump over. Wide base. Stay there. There you go. >> I had my first fight, I
never did any martial arts. Getting used to the
wrestling and the ground game. Trying to better myself. >> Trainer: Let's go! >> He always loved having
me over because of my jiu-jitsu background, so…
[laughing] >> …that helps a lot, not
that I think it will matter in the
Derrick Lewis fight. [Laughing] [woman singing]
♪ Everybody knows oh no ♪ ♪ Everybody knows ♪ ♪ Everybody knows oh no no ♪ ♪ Everybody knows ♪ ♪ You can feel it in
the air it's coming ♪ ♪ You can feel in your bones ♪ ♪ You can feel it in the air ♪ ♪ Everybody knows ♪ >> Narrator: Preparing in all
areas for a fight that may only involve striking, is a testament to
Tuivasa's dedication. [grunting] [woman singing] ♪ Hits
you like a hits you like a ♪ >> Narrator: And an opponent
like Derrick Lewis, will bring out the
best Bam Bam to date.
>> I got a lot of
respect for Derrick. I've grown up watching him. >> Joe: He's as
dangerous as a heavyweight gets. This man can knock out
anybody on the planet. >> Fitzgerald: The
Black Beast does it again! He is alone at the
top of the mountain! >> I just think it's the
passing of the torch now. Hand it over to me. >> Fitzgerald: The
Australian, Tai Tuivasa. One of the hardest
hitters in the game. One of the biggest
personalities in the game. >> Felder: He knows when he
steps foot in that Octagon, he's trying to do one thing;
just beat the living crap out of his opponent. Oh! >> It's going to be two guys in
there, trying to take the head off of one another. >> Bisping: When he lets
those hands go, he has a very high likelihood of
knocking you out.
>> So it's going to be
a fun fight to watch. >> Fitzgerald: Oh, that's it! Derrick Lewis puts him out! There is your knockout king! >> I'm Bam Bam. I always come out to knock
someone out, you know, so… [commentators]: Oh! >> Anik: Hardy goes down! Tai Tuivasa! >> Cormier: Whoo! >> I knock out **** Shoeys. Shoey is coming
to Houston, baby. >> Narrator: Heavyweights
collide in Houston, Texas, on February 12th… [grunting]
>> That's it. >> Narrator: …before former
middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker… >> Cormier: That jab is
like a piston and then he throws the
straight right hand. >> Narrator:
Represents Australia, in a rematch with the reigning
king from New Zealand, Israel Adesanya. >> I'm the champion. Let's go! >> Narrator: It's
another high stakes showcase for the worldwide mma leader, at UFC 271..
