Robert Whittaker put the UFC middleweight division on notice tonight in Kansas City scoring a second-round TKO victory over perennial division contender Ronadlo “Jacare” Souza.
The win marked Whittaker’s seventh victory in a row and boosted the 26-year-old into immediate title contention.
Here is how the pros reacted to Whittaker’s incredible stoppage victory over Souza:
WOW! @RJWhittaker1990 looked amazing! New threat at 185's.
advertisement – continue reading below— TJ Dillashaw (@TJDillashaw) April 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/Cody_Nolove/status/853413281494482944
Mario Y needs to move outta the freakn way!! @JacareMMA was rocked but defending and trying to scramble! Props to @RJWhittaker1990 tho
advertisement – continue reading below— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) April 16, 2017
.@JacareMMA kept having tough fights when he already earned his shot at the belt That's the problem when rankings don't decide title shots.
— @CrisCyborg #Bellator249 fight in bio (@criscyborg) April 16, 2017
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https://twitter.com/Cody_Nolove/status/853413728481533952
Wow
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) April 16, 2017
Whittaker looked like a future champion tonight #UFCKansasCity
— Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) April 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/MoTownPhenom/status/853414846607618048
Well done @RJWhittaker1990! I'm proud of you and so is all of Australia! #UFCKansasCity
— Anthony Perosh (@AnthonyPerosh) April 16, 2017
Robert Whittaker!! Man, that dude has HANDS!! #UFCKansasCity
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) April 16, 2017
It should have been @GeorgesStPierre fighting @RJWhittaker1990 tonight.
— @CrisCyborg #Bellator249 fight in bio (@criscyborg) April 16, 2017
Now will please shut the hell up and stay off my instagram page.
A post shared by Mikebisping (@mikebisping) on
Get the full Robert Whittaker vs. Ronadlo ‘Jacare” Souza fight recap below:
Round one begins and Whittaker comes forward with a left that misses. Souza tries to pressure him back towards the fence but Robert circles off. Jacare shoots for a takedown but it is not there. Souza with a front kick to the body. Whittaker lands a left hand. He leaps forward with another but misses the mark. Jacare shoots in and presses Whittaker against the cage. He lands a knee and then drops down for a takedown. He gets it but Whiitaker is able to roll back to his feet. Jacare jumps on the back of Whittaker but Robert is able to shake him off and break free. Wow. That is a huge win for Whittaker to get out of that situation. Rob lands a big punch. He circles out and then comes in with an uppercut that lands. Jacare responds with a right hand and then another. Whittaker misses with a front kick. So does Souza. Whittaker with a leaping left and then a follow up right hand. Good stuff from the Australian here. He lands a crisp left hook. Round one comes to an end.
Round two begins and Whittaker leaps in with a left jab that misses. He goes to the body with a jab that finds a home. Robert with a huge right hand that floors Jacare. He jumps in with some ground and pound and then stands up to look for the knockout finish. A big uppercut from Whittaker. He lands a head kick. Jacare is in all sorts of trouble here. Another good left hand. Another good combination from Whittaker. He has all the momentum here. Whittaker leaps in with another left hand. Jacare circles out. He looks very tentative now. A hufe head kick lands for Whittaker. He floors Jacare again. He follows up with ground and pound and this one is over.