Middleweight championship: Israel Adesanya (c) (23-1, 12-1 UFC) def. Jared Cannonier (15-6, 8-6 UFC) by unanimous decision.
In a clinical, albeit unspectacular, performance, Israel Adesanya outpointed Jared Cannonier via unanimous decision to retain his middleweight championship in the main event of UFC 276 on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena. The judges scored the bout 49-46, 49-46 and 50-45 for Adesanya.
Adesanya’s superiority in striking was evident throughout the bout. Cannonier landed nothing of real significance with Adesanya keeping him at a distance, picking him apart with jabs and kicks to the body and legs. The crowd grew restless with the lack of thrilling action, especially in the fourth round, which was marked by boos and fans holding up lit-up smartphones. But Cannonier did nothing to push Adesanya, a former champion kickboxer, into anything resembling a firefight. Adesanya, meanwhile, was content with safely landing strikes with his length from so far out that Cannonier could not counter them.
Adesanya outstruck Cannonier 163-141 for the fight, including a 116-90 edge in significant strikes.
-ESPN
