UFC 254: Robert Whittaker defeats Jared Cannonier in Abu Dhabi and closes in on Israel Adesanya rematch

New Zealand-born Australian, who lost the middleweight belt late last year, dispatched American via unanimous decision at Flash Forum

UFC 254 GALLERY: Dagestan fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates his victory over Justin Gaethje of the US after their lightweight title bout on UFC Fight Island in Abu Dhabi. Getty

Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates his victory over Justin Gaethje. Getty

Khabib Nurmagomedov clinches his victory over Justin Gaethje via a second-round triangle choke at Flash Forum. Getty

Khabib Nurmagomedov takes down Justin Gaethje. Getty

Justin Gaethje kicks Khabib Nurmagomedov. Getty

Khabib Nurmagomedov punches Justin Gaethje. Getty

Khabib Nurmagomedov after his victory. Getty

Australian fighter Robert Whittaker lands a punch during his victory over Jared Cannonier of the US in their middleweight bout. Getty

Robert Whittaker after the fight against Jared Cannonier. Getty

Jared Cannonier punches Robert Whittaker. Getty

Robert Whittaker punches Jared Cannonier. Getty

Dagestan's Magomed Ankalaev celebrates his KO victory over Ion Cutelaba of Moldova in their light heavyweight bout on UFC's Fight Island, in Abu Dhabi. Getty

Magomed Ankalaev knocks down Ion Cutelaba. Getty

Magomed Ankalaev punches Ion Cutelaba. Getty

Russian fighter Alexander Volkov celebrates his victory over Walt Harris of the US after their heavyweight bout. Getty

Alexander Volkov punches Walt Harris. Getty

Walt Harris punches Alexander Volkov. Getty

US fighter Lauren Murphy celebrates her victory over Liliya Shakirova of Uzbekistan after their women's flyweight bout. Getty

Lauren Murphy punches Liliya Shakirova. Getty

Liliya Shakirova and Lauren Murphy during their bout. Getty

US fighter Phillip Hawes lands a punch during his 18-second victory over Jacob Malkoun of Australia in their middleweight bout. Getty

Phillip Hawes punches Jacob Malkoun. Getty

Phillip Hawes celebrates his KO victory over Jacob Malkoun. Getty

Phillip Hawes celebrates his KO victory over Jacob Malkoun. Getty

Kazakhstan's Shavkat Rakhmonov on his way to victory over Alex Oliveira of Brazil in their welterweight bout. Getty

Alex Oliveira lands a kick on Shavkat Rakhmonov. Getty

American fighter Casey Kenney lands a punch and his way to victory over Nathaniel Wood of England in their catchweight bout. Getty

Nathaniel Wood punches Casey Kenney. Getty

Australian Tai Tuivasa lands a punch on Stefan Struve of the Netherlands on his way to victory in their heavyweight bout. Getty

Stefan Struve lands a kick on Tai Tuivasa. Getty

Robert Whittaker defeated Jared Cannonier in their title eliminator at UFC 254 in Abu Dhabi early on Sunday to most probably book a rematch with middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.

The New Zealand-born Australian, who lost the belt to Adesanya late last year, dispatched Cannonier via unanimous decision at Flash Forum – his second victory in the capital in four months.

All three judges gave Whittaker, who knocked down Cannonier in the third round, 29-28.

As the division’s No 1-ranked challenger, and having seen off the No 2 Cannonier, Whittaker will almost certainly go up against former foe Adesanya once more, potentially early next year.

UFC 254 brings to a close “Return to Fight Island”, the UFC’s second residency in Abu Dhabi.