Robert Whittaker Overcomes Hand Injury To Defeat Rafael Natal
A middleweight tilt served as UFC 197’s second main card bout. Rafael Natal (21-7-1) and Robert Whittaker (16-4) were both looking for their fifth straight victory when they met inside the Octagon.
“The Reaper” got his way on this night (April 23, 2016).
Whittaker connected with a jab early in the opening frame. Both men blocked high kicks. Natal landed a leg kick. A counter right hand found the mark for “Sapo.” Whittaker got in his own leg kick, but Natal fired back. “The Reaper” dropped his opponent with a punch and the two were winging punches before the round ended.
Early in the second stanza, Whittaker pressured Natal with strikes. “Sapo” kept chopping at the left leg of his opponent. A right hook landed for Natal. “The Reaper” noticeably slowed down due to the kicks. A left hand from Whittaker left Natal with a cut.
At the end of the round, Whittaker complained to his coach of a right hand injury.
Whittaker checked a kick early in the final round. Natal was kicked low and time was called temporarily. A switch kick to the leg of Whittaker found the mark. “The Reaper” landed some jabs that backed Natal off. Whittaker connected with two left hands. “Sapo” kept targeting the leg with under a minute to go. “Sapo” was rocked by a head kick and the final horn sounded after Natal survived.
The judges at ringside unanimously awarded the fight to Whittaker.
Final Result: Robert Whittaker def. Rafael Natal via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
