Yas Island (United Arab Emirates) (AFP)
Fallen UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker defeated England's Darren Till by unanimous decision Sunday at the close of the Fight Island tournament in Abu Dhabi.
"This fight was so stressful. I hope the fans and everyone enjoyed it because it was one of the most technical fights I have ever had," said the 29-year-old Australian after his victory.
The three judges declared him the winner by a score of 48-47 for this last fight in the "bubble" of Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, where the UFC has relocated to protect itself from the Covid pandemic -19.
The Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Championship, which is usually held in Las Vegas (United States), instituted a strict health protocol and excluded fighters who tested positive for the new coronavirus.
The Brazilian Gilbert Burns has among others paid the price.
Against Till, Whittaker was first knocked down with an elbow. But the Australian counterattacked to win the fight.
"In the first round he got me, he didn't do that after that," said Whittaker, who had considered ending his career after losing his middleweight belt in October.
The UFC will return to Las Vegas, but its boss Dana White has opened the door to new events behind closed doors and abroad as the United States remains the country worst affected by the coronavirus.
© 2020 AFP