Robert Whittaker outduels Rafael Natal in three-round slugfest
Robert Whittaker had to battle middleweight veteran Rafael Natal over three hard-fought rounds to earn a unanimous decision win at UFC 197.
Whittaker was one of the fastest rising stars in the middleweight division, but Natal gave him everything he could handle through their 15 minutes in the Octagon.
It appeared both fighters were ready for a striking battle, with Natal focusing on leg kicks while Whittaker countered by head-hunting his Brazilian opponent throughout the first round.
Natal managed to land several hard shots on Whittaker's lead leg that showed significant bruising in the opening five minutes.
Holy scramble!!! These two are bringing it! #UFC197 https://t.co/bD4U57WLHw
— #UFC197 (@ufc) April 24, 2016
Whittaker still landed more damage after he cracked Natal with a hard series of punches that tagged and hurt the veteran middleweight. It appeared for a moment that Whittaker might have Natal hurt enough to go for the finish, but time ran out before he could capitalize.
In round two, Whittaker did his best work whenever he stalked Natal around the Octagon and attacked with stinging straight punches.
Natal's best counter continued to be the leg kicks that had Whittker's left leg swelling and red. Whittaker tried switching stances to stave off the kicks to his lead leg, but he always ended up in the same position where he was most comfortable.
After some sloppy exchanges on the feet, Whittaker finally uncorked his best shot of the fight when he blasted Natal with a huge head kick just before the end of the third round.
#UFC197 @RJWhittaker1990 gives a shout out to his fans after his win tonight. pic.twitter.com/6lsusdufZz
— #UFC197 (@ufc) April 24, 2016
Natal was bloodied up and wobbled from the kick, but he managed to survive until the fight was over.
In the end, Whittaker's constant offense proved just too much, as he earned a unanimous decision victory to remain undefeated since his move to the UFC middleweight division.
After the fight was over, Whittaker revealed that he actually suffered a hand injury in the first round that kept him from landing his best shots for the remainder of the fight.
Either way, Whittaker got the win as he continues his steady climb up the rankings at 185 pounds in the UFC.
