The co-main event is a big fight between the top two contenders in the middleweight division. Former division champion, Robert “the Reaper” Whittaker lost his belt to current champion Israel Adesanya at UFC 243 in October 2019. Prior to that fight, Bobby Knuckles had won 9 straight UFC fights. Most recently, Whittaker defeated Darren Till by unanimous decision in July.

Jared “The Killa Gorilla” Cannonier (great fight name!) is on a three-fight win streak as he has won all of his fights since dropping to the middleweight division. Cannonier has fought in the heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions during his UFC tenure. Cannonier brings an overall record of 13-4 into the bout. Champion Israel Adesanya has said Cannonier would be his choice for next opponent if Cannonier impresses against Whittaker.

Round 1

Big outside leg kick to open the round for Cannonier as he countered a Whittaker jab. Big outside leg kick by Cannonier briefly knocks Whittaker off balance and sends him to the canvas. Two more big outside leg kicks land for Cannonier. Big counter left hand lands for The Reaper. Big right hand for Whittaker knocks Cannonier backwards a couple of steps. Another big outside leg kick for The Killa Gorilla. High right kick for Whittaker partially gets through.

Seattle Fights round score – 10-9 Cannonier (close round but the leg kicks, plus the brief knockdown, give Cannonier the edge)

Round 2

Double jab lands for Whittaker early. A couple of nice leg kicks land for Cannonier. Counter right hand for Cannonier. Whittaker doing nice work with the jab. Straight right hand following the jab lands for Bobby Knuckles. Whittaker looking sharp this round. Whittaker with a 1-2 combination as the straight right hand lands hard and flush. Double jab and big right hand lands for Whittaker at the end of the round. Very strong round for Whittaker.

Seattle Fights round score – 10-9 Whittaker

Round 3

Whittaker badly hurts Cannonier early in the final round as he lands three flush strikes started with a 1-2 and finished with a right kick to the face. Cannonier retreats on wobbly legs before crashing into the cage and falling face first to the canvas. Whittaker follows up with ground strikes but Cannonier does well to recover and put Whittaker in his guard. Whittaker passes to half guard. With 3 minutes left in the round Whittaker takes mount position before transitioning to Cannonier’s back. Despite being badly hurt Cannonier does well to escape and get back to his feet. Incredible toughness shown by The Killa Gorilla. Nice switch kick lands for Cannonier. Cannonier then hurts Whittaker with a stiff jab that Whittaker ran into. Whittaker stumbles backward before regaining his legs and circling away from The Killa Gorilla. Whittaker shows great fight IQ by shooting for a takedown before tying Cannonier up in the clinch against the cage.

Seattle Fights round score – 10-9 Whittaker

Official decision – Unanimous decision for Robert Whittaker (all three judges 49-48)