Robert Whittaker took one step closer to reclaiming the UFC middleweight belt after his commanding performance against Kelvin Gastelum at UFC on ESPN 22.
Whittaker buzzed Gastelum with a head kick in the first round and dictated the rest of the fight with effective counter punching, kicks and takedowns.
Gastelum continued to march forward to try and find a way to change the fight’s course, but ultimately came up short as the judges scored the contest in Whittaker’s favour.
You can read more about the fight and catch up on all of the results of UFC on ESPN 22: Whittaker vs. Gastelum here.
Here is how Whittaker and Gastelum’s fight peers reacted to the main event fights on social media.
Robert Whittaker def. Kelvin Gastelum by unanimous decision
Kelvin so tough took this fight short notice and still not backing down in the 5th
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) April 18, 2021
Robert Whittaker is the #1 contender and the rightful challenger for the middleweight belt #UFCVegas24
— Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) April 18, 2021
Congrats to Whitaker on amazing performance. Gastelum as tough as they come !
— Chris Weidman (@chrisweidman) April 18, 2021
Andrei Arlovski def. Chase Sherman by unanimous decision
Gotta be happy for Arlovski. Great win !
— Chris Weidman (@chrisweidman) April 18, 2021
Well done Andrei ! 🤜🏽
— Chito Vera (@chitoveraUFC) April 18, 2021
Jacob Malkoun def. Abdul Razak Alhassan by unanimous decision
Again battle of Geography belongs to Malkoun. Only thing he could do better is to finish. But again Alhassan so game and tough. #UFCFightNight #UFC
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) April 18, 2021
Look at the tree trunks on Alhassan. Sheesh! Mans is a massive specimen #UFCVegas24
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) April 18, 2021
Tracy Cortez def. Justine Kish by split decision
Canvas is slippery! Thank you! It’s not easy fighting without your footing underneath you. #UFCVegas24
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) April 18, 2021
Luis Pena def. Alexander Munoz by unanimous decision
Jake Hughes is an MMA writer who has covered the sport since 2013 for publications such as Vice Sports, Fightland, Sherdog and now Fighters Only, where he serves as freelance digital editor.