In the main event of UFC 276, the middleweight title was on the line. Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya (22-1) was seeking to collect his fifth ruby as he took on “The Killa Gorilla” Jared Cannonier (15-5).
Since dropping to 185, Jared Cannonier has been one of the best in the UFC. He’s gone 5-1 with the lone loss coming to Robert Whittaker. He’s won back-to-back fights to earn this shot against The Last Stylebender.
Israel Adesanya has successfully defended his title four times. He’s coming off back-to-back successful title defenses over Marvin Vettori and Robert Whittaker. Those came on the heels of his lone UFC loss to Jan Blachowicz at light heavyweight. Izzy was looking to show at UFC 276 that he’s still the king of 185.
UFC 276 Recap
Round 1
The UFC 276 main event kicked off with no touch of the gloves. Cannonier takes the center and here we go. Adesanya looking for his jab early on. Big low kick from the champ and he doubles it up. Cannonier tries working his way in.
Clean calf kick lands for Adesanya and Cannonier lands one of his own. Another calf kick from Adesanya. Front kick to the body for Cannonier. Straight left from Adesanya and he lands a powerful low kick behind it.
Head kick attempt blocked from Adesanya. Lead uppercut from the champ just misses and Cannonier lands a nice calf kick. Big body kick from the champion. Fighting at Adesanya’s range here and Cannonier eats a couple of nice jabs.
Cannonier talking to him a bit and Adesanya almost lands a big right. Cannonier evades well and plots forward. Cannonier misses wilding with a right hand and Adesanya lands a couple of leg kicks. Left straight for the champ.
Jab to the body for Cannonier. Big low kick from Cannonier. Another low kick from Cannonier and he dodges a head kick from Adesanya. Low kick from the champion. Right hand for Adesanya as the round ends. 1-0 Adesanya at UFC 276.
Round 2
Entering the second at UFC 276 and that was a very competitive first round. Adesanya comes out quick and takes the center to start the second. Sharp jab lands for the champion and Cannonier circles on the outside.
Jab for Cannonier but Adesanya is really pressuring here. Both men trade low kicks and now Cannonier is the one coming forward. Cannonier evades an attack from Adesanya. Cannonier popped with a big left from Adesanya and now the champion is pressuring again.
Lead elbow from the champ. Front kick to the body for Adesanya and then he lands a sharp leg kick. Jab from Cannonier and then he lands a nice leg kick. Adesanya lands and then he just misses a long straight shot. Body kick from Cannonier.
Body hook for Adesanya and then he lands a sharp right hand. Cannonier tries to come in but Adesanya just brushes him off. Jab from Cannonier and then Adesanya lands a clean left to the body. Nice combination from Adesanya and then a big right hand backs up Cannonier.
Cannonier is struggling with the distance right now and Izzy is opening up. Low kick from Cannonier and then he lands another one that spins the champion. 1-2 just at the end of the round for Adesanya and he should be up 2-0 at UFC 276.
Round 3
Entering the third at UFC 276 and Cannonier is doing well, but not doing enough so far. Adesanya takes the center and immediately throws a couple of kicks. Nothing really lands clean and Cannonier is just circling. Big check left hook lands for Cannonier.
Low kick from Cannonier and then he lands a big hook up top. Sharp jab lands for Adesanya and then a big calf kick. Takedown attempt from Cannonier and Adesanya shrugs him off. On the exit, he lands a big jab.
Low kick from Adesanya. Cannonier throws a right hook that Adesanya dodges. Body shot from Cannonier and Adesanya answers. Cannonier goes for a takedown attempt but he gets in the clinch where he starts doing damage. Couple of clean hooks up top and to the body for Cannonier.
Low kick from Adesanya and then he pops Cannonier with a clean shot off the break. Sloppy spinning back fist attempt from Cannonier misses badly. Right hand lands for Cannonier and he’s landed some big shots in this round.
They get in close and Cannonier lands a couple of good shots while Adesanya looks to counter. Big right over the top from Cannonier and he chains it into a clinch. Good knees to the thigh are landing here for Cannonier.
More knees for Cannonier. Heavy cage pressure here from Cannonier and he lands a nice shot up top. Round comes to a close and this one goes to Cannonier at UFC 276.
Round 4
Entering the fourth at UFC 276 and we finally saw some momentum for Cannonier, but Adesanya is still ahead here. Adesanya again takes the center to start the fourth. Both men miss on their opening attacks here.
Nice right hand lands for Cannonier and a low kick for Adesanya. Huge jab lands for Adesanya. Calf kick for Adesanya and he lands a left straight. Pressure from Cannonier and he lands a nice hook to the body. However, Adesanya immediately lands a counter body kick.
Cannonier pressures and he lands a nice right hand, but can’t follow up. Adesanya circles and lands a huge calf kick. Big body kick from Cannonier. Adesanya comes in and Cannonier gets a hold of him. Halfway through the round and Cannonier is using cage pressure, but Adesanya spins away and lands a low kick.
Jab from Adesanya lands. Clean right hands land for both men. Cannonier trying to up the pressure but Adesanya circles away. Big low kick from Cannonier and then he throws a couple of shots which gets him to a clinch.
Big elbow in the clinch for Cannonier and he lands a couple of nice knees. Adesanya throwing little shots, but Cannonier lands a big elbow. Adesanya gets away with ten seconds left. Bell sounds and it’s likely a round for the champ at UFC 276.
Round 5
Entering the final round at UFC 276 and Cannonier is going to need a finish in this one. Adesanya takes the center but eats a right from Cannonier to open the final round. Low kick from Adesanya. Two straight left straights for Adesanya and then he lands a calf kick.
Another nice left hand for the champion. High kick to a jab for the champ who is opening up here in the fifth. Another piston-like jab from the champion lands. Lead elbow for Adesanya who is really pulling away early in the final round.
Left straight lands for Cannonier. Both men trade calf kicks and there’s three minutes left in the round. Cannonier gets on the inside but it’s Adesanya that lands with a nice clean elbow. Halfway through the final round. Cannonier gets a clinch and he pushes Adesanya back to the fence.
He’s looking for a takedown, but Adesanya is defending well. Lots of cage pressure here from Cannonier who continues to look for knees to the thighs. Adesanya spins and gets free to land a big jab. Two big right hands from Cannonier who goes back to pressure on the cage.
Adesanya is now getting aggressive in the final seconds. However, nothing big lands and this one goes to the cards. Should be a clear win for Adesanya at UFC 276.
Israel Adesanya def. Jared Cannonier by Unanimous Decision (49-46, 49-46, 50-45)