LAS VEGAS -- In the finest Mark Hunt-ian Australia/New Zealand fight tradition, Robert Whittaker likes to move forward, absorb a blow or two if he has to, and throw big bombs.
And that made for one entertaining slugfest. Despite a lead left leg beaten raw by Natal leg kicks, Whittaker plowed his way forward to victory at UFC 197. The judges' scores were 29-28, 30-27, and 30-27 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
The opening round set the tone. Whittaker moved forward and landed a shot or two. Natal countered. They answered one another strike for strike until Whittaker began to land more, and harder, toward rounds end.