Robert Whittaker had his fellow fighters in awe on Saturday.
The former UFC middleweight champion put on a masterful three-round performance against Marvin Vettori in the UFC Paris co-main event, overcoming a slow start to soundly out-strike Vettori in the second and third rounds. Vettori, a tough opponent in the UFC middleweight division, survived countless punches and kicks on the head but Whittaker won the fight.
It was yet another outstanding performance for “The Reaper,” who bounced back from a title fight loss to rival Israel Adesanya. Where Whittaker goes from here is anyone’s guess, but for now he remains one of the two best fighters in the world at 185 pounds.
Welterweight veteran Matt Brown called the performance a “masterclass”, while Tom Aspinall, a heavyweight competitor, described Whittaker’s victory as “classy .”
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There was also plenty of praise for Vettori’s toughness and you can see the best social media responses to the fight below.
They grow up so fast
— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) September 3, 2022
Round 1 to vettori
— Jamahal Hill (@JamahalH) September 3, 2022
10-9 marvin
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) September 3, 2022
Lean towards Whittaker for first rd I think he’s going to start pulling away next two
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) September 3, 2022
Vettori is a damn truck
— Tom Aspinall (@AspinallMMA) September 3, 2022
Marvin has to take the space from Whitaker if he wants success. Stay in the the pocket
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) September 3, 2022
Idk what these commentators are watching
— Kevin Holland (@Trailblaze2top) September 3, 2022
When Rob starts landing hard and constantly your not long for that fight!!! #UFCParis
— Jamahal Hill (@JamahalH) September 3, 2022
Whittaker catching rhythm now
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) September 3, 2022
Bobby has found his range now by utilising the fakes and got Marvin on the back foot and second guessing his own attacks. Very high fight IQ
— Tom Aspinall (@AspinallMMA) September 3, 2022
Whittaker is cruising. #UFCParis
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) September 3, 2022
Fight could be 1-1 right now #UFCParis
— Johnny Munoz (@KidKvenbo) September 3, 2022
Great second round for Whittaker #UFCParis
— Vince Morales (@vandetta135) September 3, 2022
Whitaker is getting more and more comfortable 2 – 0. If Marvin wants to win this fight he has to go for broke and take risk inside the pocket. #ufcparis
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) September 3, 2022
I think when it’s this high in the rankings they should do 5 rounds!!!
— Jamahal Hill (@JamahalH) September 3, 2022
Whittaker picking up the pace. So clean with the 1-2’s down the pipe. Basic. Fundamentals. It is then that clever/slick side-kick. #UFCParis
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) September 3, 2022
Incredible performance. So classy
— Tom Aspinall (@AspinallMMA) September 3, 2022
We want more rounds!!! #UFCParis
— Jamahal Hill (@JamahalH) September 3, 2022
Man Robert really can’t lose to anyone izzy
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) September 3, 2022
Masterclass by Whittaker in last 2 rounds. Beautiful work.
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) September 3, 2022
Masterclass performance by the Aussie Whittaker just showing he’s one of the best #UFCParis
— Jeff Molina (@jmolina_125) September 3, 2022
What a performance by Whittaker.. It was calm, composed, crisp, and sharp! #UFCParis
— PEARL GONZALEZ (@PearlGonzalez) September 3, 2022
Vittori is warrior man .Respect
Congrats to Robert!!! #UFCParis— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) September 3, 2022
This just shows how GREAT @stylebender is. #UFCParis
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) September 3, 2022
