UFC 271: Robert Whittaker vs Israel Adesanya 2 start time Australia, live stream, full card

11.51AM: PANTHERS COACH IN GUTSY UFC COMEBACK

Penrith wrestling coach Jacob Malkoun has continued his undefeated run since immersing in the Panthers system, squeezing his way to a gutsy, comeback win over hyped US prospect AJ Dobson at UFC 271.

A key member of the Panthers 2021 NRL premiership staff, Malkoun dropped the first round against UFC debutant Dobson, a touted power puncher who entry to the big show via Dana White’s Contender Series.

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However, Malkoun then fought back strongly over the next two rounds, with the training partner for Australia’s Robert Whittaker taking Dobson down in both rounds and then keeping him there.

The Aussie also landed some strong strikes to his grounded opponent, with all three judges scoring the bout 29-28.

After losing his UFC debut by KO, and in just 18 seconds, the Sydneysider then returned home and began working with the Panthers.

The fighter has now won two fights since, telling us this week here in Houston Texas about drawing inspiration from the Panthers revival after their own grand final heartache.

“I work hard for this s…,” Malkoun shouted immediately after the fight was done.

Later, during an interview with commentator Daniel Cormeir, he added: “After that first loss, I’ve worked my arse off every day.

“I want to keep pushing hard.

“I’m not just here to fight and see how I go. I’m here to win.”

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10.45AM: BLOOD DIAMOND’S SHOCK FIRST-ROUND DEFEAT

He was billed as being among the smokeys to steal the show at UFC 271.

But New Zealand’s highly-touted UFC prospect Blood Diamond has suffered a shock loss after being choked unconscious in the first round by Jeremiah Wells.

Diamond, whose real name is Mike Mathetha, was widely hyped for this fight by his training partner and headliner, UFC middleweight king Israel Adesanya.

However, Wells controlled the fight from the opening bell being eventually winning via rear naked choke.

“I seen his eyes go back,” the welterweight said afterwards of the finishing move. “The choke was in.”

The loss was an early blow to the City Kickboxing team, who have three fighters on the card.

Camera IconShock as 'Blood Diamond' Mike Mathetha choked out in first round. Credit: Supplied

10AM: RECORD-BREAKING WHITTAKER ON REVENGE MISSION

Robert Whittaker looks set to create a TAB record as one of the best backed Australian fighters ever as support pours in for the Sydneysider to create an upset at UFC 271.

While he will start a $3 outsider against UFC middleweight king Israel Adesanya, TAB officials say Whittaker boasts 80 per cent of a hold of what is shaping as their biggest UFC take.

Despite losing Australia’s first UFC title by devastating kayo in 2019, punters are backing Bobby Knuckles to turn the tables in his hyped rematch, with a quarter of bets predicting him to win via KO in the fourth.

Adesanya, however, remains the $1.38 favourite.

Those backing Adesanya are also tipping him to finish, with his biggest hold suggesting a KO win in the third.

Of his 21 career wins, Adesanya has secured 15 via KO – including names like Paulo Costa, Derek Brunson and, of course, Whittaker.

Elsewhere, the rangy New Zealander also already boasts 11 knockdowns as a UFC middleweight, placing him third behind only Brazilian legend Anderson Silva (13) and Nate Marquardt (12).

BAM BAM’S SAVAGE WAKE-UP CALL

Tai Tuivasa says he is now a completely different fighter to the guy who lost via TKO to Junior dos Santos in 2018, saying: “I thought I was the man back then”.

On a run of four straight UFC finishes, Tuivasa takes on the biggest challenge of his career at UFC 271 — facing American cult favourite Derrick Lewis in his Houston backyard.

Since the dos Santos result, his first UFC defeat, Tuivasa then dropped two more fights before re-emerging on his current run of highlight reel finishes.

Asked what he learned from the JDS bout, the Mt Druitt heavyweight said: “I wasn’t prepared for that fight.

“Thought I was the man back then.

“But what happened, it’s made me a much better fighter

“Obviously with my nature, I want to get in there, win, get it done.

“But I’ve also matured.

“Before, I used to rush things. Go look for the finish.

“But I know more about the sport now.

“And I know I have (the power) … it’s just about waiting for the right time.”

Main card, from 2pm

Israel Adesanya (c) (184lbs) vs. Robert Whittaker (184lbs) – middleweight title

Derrick Lewis (266lbs) vs. Tai Tuivasa (265lbs) – heavyweight

Jared Cannonier vs. Derek Brunson – middleweight

Bobby Green vs. Nasrat Haqparast – lightweight

Kyler Phillips vs. Marcelo Rojo – lightweight

Preliminary card, from 12pm

Andrei Arlovski vs. Jared Vanderaa – heavyweight

Roxanne Modafferi vs. Casey O’Neill – women’s flyweight

William Knight vs. Maxim Grishin – heavyweight

Carlos Ulberg vs. Fabio Cherant – light heavyweight

Early preliminary card, from 10am

Leomana Martinez vs. Ronnie Lawrence – bantamweight

Alexander Hernandez vs. Renato Moicano – lightweight

AJ Dobson vs. Jacob Malkoun – middleweight

Douglas Silva de Andrade vs. Sergey Morozov – bantamweight

Jeremiah Wells vs. Mike Mathetha – welterweight

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