Sometimes good intentions yield bad results. Sometimes, a sensible strategy yields to a better one.
Both of these things happened at UFC 243, where Israel Adesanya exchanged his interim title for an undisputed one, and handed Robert Whittaker his first defeat in over five years in the process. At its end, Whittaker’s championship run consisted of two classic fights with the terrifying Yoel Romero, and a whole series of injuries, misfortunes, and disappointments, culminating in this, a definitive loss to MMA’s brightest new star. To see all of that potential and momentum wiped away, even if only for a time, is more than a little heartbreaking.