5 UFC rematches that were closer the second time around

UFC 271 was headlined by a rematch between middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and former champ Robert Whittaker. While their first fight ended early in the second round, the rematch was much closer and went the full 25 minutes.

The first time the pair squared off, Adesanya cruised to a second-round KO win. Whittaker looked much more composed in the rematch and utilized a better gameplan that saw him come closer to defeating 'The Last Stylebender'.

This is not always the case in rematches. For the most part, if a fighter has found a path to victory in the first fight, it can be difficult to make the necessary corrections to change the result in the rematch. With that being said, some fighters find new ways to have success, and some can even exact their revenge.

Whittaker's improved second performance against Adesanya is an excellent example of a fighter who lost the first bout improving substantially in the rematch. There are several other rematches in recent UFC history that have seen a much closer second bout than the first.

Here are five other recent UFC rematches that were closer the second time around:

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#5. Rose Namajunas vs. Jessica Andrade II - UFC 251

The series between Namajunas and Andrade is tied at 1-1

The first encounter between Rose Namajunas and Jessica Andrade was shocking at UFC 237. Namajunas looked great in the opening round before a big slam from Andrade changed everything. It caused a KO to Rose and Andrade won the strawweight title in her home country of Brazil.

The rematch was a less glamorous affair. The title was not on the line, and the bout took place on Fight Island. The fight went the distance the second time around, and 'Thug Rose' got her revenge with a narrow split decision victory. The back-and-forth bout earned Fight of the Night honors.

Namajunas went on to regain the strawweight title at UFC 261. At just 29 years old, she could be set for a lengthy run atop the division. Andrade moved up to flyweight following this bout, but after unsuccessfully challenging Valentina Shevchenko for the title, she is now moving back down to 115 lbs.

#4. Amanda Nunes vs. Germaine de Randamie II - UFC 245

Nunes leads the series with De Randamie 2-0

UFC: Fight for the Troops 3 saw the first meeting between Amanda Nunes and Germaine de Randamie. That bout was an incredibly one-sided affair that saw 'The Lioness' pick up a TKO victory via elbows just over a minute into the fight.

De Randamie would then have to wait six years for her shot at revenge. The rematch was for the bantamweight title, and this time 'The Iron Lady' put on a much better performance. Nunes ultimately won again, but the Dutchwoman picked up a round which was something few challengers were able to achieve at that time against 'The Lioness'.

Nunes continued to dominate the competition before being shockingly upset last year by Julianna Peña. Interestingly, De Randamie has not fought since she submitted Peña back in October 2020.

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#3. Alexander Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway II - UFC 251

Volkanovski leads the series with Holloway 2-0

Both fights between Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway were very close. The first took place back in 2019 when the Australian challenged 'Blessed' for the featherweight title. The fight went the distance, but Volkanovski won on all three of the judges' scorecards to snatch the belt away from Holloway.

That fight led to an immediate rematch between the pair and this one was even tighter. The bout once again went the distance, and many felt Holloway had edged it by winning the first three rounds. However, it was Volkanovski who got his hand raised by a razor-thin split decision.

These two fighters were set for a trilogy bout later this year, but Holloway was forced to withdraw through injury. He now appears to be back to full health, so you imagine it won't be too long before we see them battle a third time.

#2. Rose Namajunas vs. Zhang Weili - UFC 268

Namajunas leads the series with Zhang 2-0

Current UFC strawweight champion Rose Namajunas followed up her two consecutive fights with Jessica Andrade with two against Zhang Weili. The first bout saw 'Thug Rose' deliver a stunning head kick KO that earned her the strawweight title for the second time in her career.

While the first bout was over inside a round, the second went the full 25 minutes. In a much closer affair, Namajunas did enough to win on two of the judges' scorecards and retained her belt via split decision. The result was somewhat controversial, with many feeling Zhang won the first three rounds.

Namajunas now appears to be set for her next title defense against Carla Esparza. As for Zhang, she could also be headed for another rematch against Joanna Jedrzejczyk after their first bout was arguably the greatest female MMA fight ever.

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#1. Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz II - UFC 202

The series between McGregor and Diaz is tied at 1-1

The rivalry between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz took the popularity of the UFC to a new level. It began when Diaz stepped in at short notice to fight 'The Notorious' at UFC 196. Diaz stunned the world when he handed McGregor his first UFC defeat via rear-naked choke in the second round of the bout.

The Irishman was quickly granted a rematch, and later that year, the pair went to war again. This time, the bout was much closer and went the full five rounds. While one judge scored it a draw, the other two awarded the fight in McGregor's favor, and so he was declared the winner via majority decision.

Both men have had their struggles since their rivalry, and a trilogy bout between the pair seems an appropriate match-up on paper. Should a bout between Diaz and Dustin Poirier fail to materialize, a third Diaz-McGregor fight may very well take place later this year.