Saturday, April 23, 2016MGM Grand Arena, Las Vegas, United States
Robert Whittaker defeated Rafael Natal by Unanimous Decision in round 3 (5:00) in the Middleweight bout of UFC 197: Jones vs Saint Preux, held Saturday, April 23, 2016 at MGM Grand Arena, Las Vegas. The judges scored it 30-27, 30-27, 29-28, Robert Whittaker won the decision.
Robert Whittaker vs Rafael Natal
Fight stats: totals
Same scale left and right on every row; the pale tail behind a bar is attempts
Robert WhittakerRafael Natal
0
Knockdowns0
89 / 176
Significant strikes62 / 137
51%
Sig. strike accuracy45%
92 / 179
Total strikes63 / 138
0 / 0
Takedowns0 / 4
0:02
Control time0:00
Where it landed
Significant strikes landed by target in this fight
Robert WhittakerRafael Natal
5157%3658%
Head
1011%46%
Body
2831%2235%
Leg
Where it happened
Where the landed significant strikes came from
Robert Whittaker
93%
Rafael Natal
98%
■ Distance■ Clinch■ Ground
Range × target
Significant strikes landed by range and target in this fight · landed / attempted in each cell
Robert Whittaker89 landed
Head
Body
Leg
Distance
4545/119
1010/11
2828/36
Clinch
22/4
0
0
Ground
44/6
0
0
Rafael Natal62 landed
Head
Body
Leg
Distance
3535/93
44/15
2222/27
Clinch
11/2
0
0
Ground
0
0
0
Round by round
Significant strikes landed per round · the judges' scores under each
Robert WhittakerRafael Natal
R1
23
22
10-910-910-9
R2
31
21
10-910-910-9
R3
35
19
10-910-910-9
Bars share one scale across rounds. Each chip is one judge's score for the round, coloured by who they gave it to.
Round 1Judges: Robert Whittaker
0
Knockdowns0
23 / 51
Significant strikes22 / 48
45%
Sig. strike accuracy46%
23 / 51
Total strikes23 / 49
0 / 0
Takedowns0 / 1
0:02
Control time0:00
Round 2Judges: Robert Whittaker
0
Knockdowns0
31 / 61
Significant strikes21 / 46
51%
Sig. strike accuracy46%
33 / 63
Total strikes21 / 46
0 / 0
Takedowns0 / 2
0:00
Control time0:00
Round 3Judges: Robert Whittaker
0
Knockdowns0
35 / 64
Significant strikes19 / 43
55%
Sig. strike accuracy44%
36 / 65
Total strikes19 / 43
0 / 0
Takedowns0 / 1
0:00
Control time0:00
Judges' Scorecards
Media Scores
22
Robert Whittaker
0
Rafael Natal
●30-27 Whittaker×16●29-28 Whittaker×6
All 22 media scorecards
- Diego Peixoto · MMABrasil.com.br30-27Whittaker
- Shaun Al-Shatti · MMAFighting.com30-27Whittaker
- Chris Nelson · Sherdog.com30-27Whittaker
- Brian Knapp · Sherdog.com30-27Whittaker
- TJ DeSantis · Sherdog.com30-27Whittaker
- MMAJunkie.com30-27Whittaker
- Craig Amos · BleacherReport.com30-27Whittaker
- Ryan Frederick · WrestlingObserver.com30-27Whittaker
- Rob Tatum · CombatPress.com30-27Whittaker
- Jim Edwards · MMALatestNews.com30-27Whittaker
- Mike Whitman · Sherdog.com30-27Whittaker
- Danny Segura · MMAFighting.com30-27Whittaker
- José Youngs · TheMMACorner.com30-27Whittaker
- John Pollock · Fight Network30-27Whittaker
- Tim Burke · BloodyElbow.com30-27Whittaker
- SevereMMA.com30-27Whittaker
- Paul Fontaine · WrestlingObserver.com29-28Whittaker
- Steven Kelliher · Tapology.com29-28Whittaker
- Dana Becker · FightLine.com29-28Whittaker
- Cory Braiterman · MMAMania.com29-28Whittaker
- Dave Meltzer · Wrestling Observer29-28Whittaker
- Dallas Winston · BloodyElbow.com29-28Whittaker
Fan Scorecards
60 fan scorecards submitted
100%
Robert Whittaker
0%
Rafael Natal
●30-27 Whittaker81.7%●29-28 Whittaker16.7%●30-26 Whittaker1.7%
Fans' round-by-round verdict
R1
100%
Whittaker
R2
83%
Whittaker
R3
98%
Whittaker
Betting Odds
Robert Whittaker
-307
75% implied win probability
Open: -323Best: -305
Rafael Natal
+245
29% implied win probability
Open: +253Best: +254
Average moneyline across 2 sportsbooks.
| Sportsbook | Robert Whittaker | Rafael Natal | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bookmaker | -309 | +254 | |
| Bovada | -305 | +235 |
Odds are for information only.
Build with this line: the same consensus odds, with opening and closing lines, are in the UFCalendar Fight API. Odds in the MMA Fight Data API
Insights
- Rafael Natal lands 2.55 takedowns per 15 minutes, more than 81% of UFC fighters.
- Rafael Natal's last two losses were both stopped early.
Style & credentials
Robert Whittaker
KarateHapkidoFreestyle WrestlingBJJ
- 2020Black belt · BJJAlex Prates
- 2017Champion · Australian National Wrestling Championships97 kg
- 2017Champion · Commonwealth Games Qualifier97 kg
- 2012Champion · Tufwelterweight
Rafael Natal
BJJ
- —Black belt · BJJVinicius "Draculino" Magalhaes and Renzo Gracie
- —Ring of Combat Middleweight ChampionshipRing of Combat
- 2005Champion · IBJJF Worldsblue belt
- —Gracie Barra Belo HorizonteBrazilian jiu Jitsu · 2003-2008
Sig. strikes by zone
Where each fighter lands, as a share of significant strikes
72%58%
Head
10%14%
Body
18%28%
Leg
Time in position
Where their significant strikes are thrown
Robert Whittakerlast 25 fights
87%
Rafael Natallast 17 fights
66%12%22%
■ Distance■ Clinch■ Ground
How good, really
Each stat against every UFC fighter, in plain words
Robert Whittaker Rafael Natal
Strikes landed / min
4.413.10
PoorBelow avgAverageGoodElite
Robert Whittaker · Good · better than 76% of UFC fightersRafael Natal · Below avg · better than 39% of UFC fighters
Strikes taken / minfewer is better
3.402.48
PoorBelow avgAverageGoodElite
Robert Whittaker · Average · better than 49% of UFC fightersRafael Natal · Good · better than 80% of UFC fighters
Takedowns landed / 15 min
0.712.55
PoorBelow avgAverageGoodElite
Robert Whittaker · Below avg · better than 31% of UFC fightersRafael Natal · Good · better than 81% of UFC fighters
Takedown accuracy
38%34%
PoorBelow avgAverageGoodElite
Robert Whittaker · Average · better than 51% of UFC fightersRafael Natal · Average · better than 41% of UFC fighters
Takedown defence
80%77%
PoorBelow avgAverageGoodElite
Robert Whittaker · Good · better than 83% of UFC fightersRafael Natal · Good · better than 80% of UFC fighters
Submission attempts / 15 min
0.000.50
PoorBelow avgAverageGoodElite
Robert Whittaker · Poor · better than 0% of UFC fightersRafael Natal · Average · better than 54% of UFC fighters
Ranked against 1499 UFC fighters with five or more UFC fights.
Striking & grappling
Same scale left and right on every row
4.41
Strikes landed / min3.10
3.40
Strikes taken / minfewer is better2.48
0.71 / 1.9
Takedowns landed / 15 min2.55 / 7.5
38%
Takedown accuracy34%
80%
Takedown defence77%
1:04
Control time / fight3:09
0.00
Submission attempts / 15 min0.50
Bars in a row share one scale. The stronger side is solid; the pale tail behind takedowns is attempts.
Where the strikes land
Range × target
Robert Whittaker25 UFC fights · 1489 landed
Head
Body
Leg
Distance
61%906/2588
8%122/213
17%260/305
Clinch
5%69/129
2%26/32
0%5/6
Ground
6%94/152
0%5/5
0%2/2
Rafael Natal17 UFC fights · 656 landed
Head
Body
Leg
Distance
32%207/717
9%62/132
25%163/200
Clinch
5%36/58
4%25/33
3%18/20
Ground
21%136/201
1%6/6
0%3/3
Share of significant strikes landed by range and target · landed / attempted in each cell.
When it ends
Every early finish of their careers, placed at the minute it ended
Robert Whittaker21 of 37 ended early · 57%16 went the distance
R1R2R3R4R5
8 early stoppages have no logged time
Rafael Natal18 of 31 ended early · 58%13 went the distance
R1R2R3R4R5
7 early stoppages have no logged time
finished the opponent got finished· placed at the minute the fight ended
Recent form · last 5
Robert Whittaker3-2
- W
- LUFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs De Ridder · Jul 26, 2025Split Decision · R5 · 5:00 · Middleweight
- L
- W
- WUFC 298: Volkanovski vs Topuria · Feb 17, 2024Unanimous Decision · R3 · 5:00 · Middleweight
Full record · 37 fightsShow less
- L
- WUFC Fight Night: Gane vs Tuivasa · Sep 3, 2022Unanimous Decision · R3 · 5:00 · Middleweight
- LUFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker 2 · Feb 12, 2022Unanimous Decision · R5 · 5:00 · Middleweight
- WUFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs Gastelum · Apr 17, 2021Unanimous Decision · R5 · 5:00 · Middleweight
- WUFC 254: Khabib vs Gaethje · Oct 24, 2020Unanimous Decision · R3 · 5:00 · Middleweight
- WUFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs Till · Jul 26, 2020Unanimous Decision · R5 · 5:00 · Middleweight
- L
- W
- WUFC 213: Romero vs Whittaker · Jul 8, 2017Unanimous Decision · R5 · 5:00 · Interim Middleweight
- W
- W
- WUFC 197: Jones vs Saint Preux · Apr 23, 2016Unanimous Decision · R3 · 5:00 · Middleweight
- W
- W
- W
- WUFC Fight Night: Te Huna vs Marquardt · Jun 28, 2014Unanimous Decision · R3 · 5:00 · Welterweight
- L
- LUFC Fight Night: Condit vs Kampmann 2 · Aug 28, 2013Split Decision · R3 · 5:00 · Welterweight
- W
- WUFC on FX: Sotiropoulos vs. Pearson · Dec 16, 2012Unanimous Decision · R3 · 5:00 · Ultimate Fighter Australia vs. UK Welterweight
- W
- L
- WShaun SpoonerSFA 13 · Mar 23, 2012TKO · R1 · 4:01 · Welterweight
- WIan BoneCage Fighting Championship · Dec 9, 2011TKO
- LHoon KimLegend FC 6 · Oct 30, 2011Submission · R1 · 3:01 · Welterweight
- WCorey NelsonCage Fighting Championship · Aug 26, 2011Submission
- W
- WNate ThomsonCage Fighting Championship · Oct 8, 2010Submission
- WJay CobainCage Fighting Championship · Jun 5, 2010Submission
- WNick ArielCage Fighting Championship · Mar 12, 2010TKO
- W
- WChris TallowinXtreme Fighting Championships · Mar 14, 2009TKO
Rafael Natal2-3
Full record · 31 fightsShow less
- W
- WUFC Fight Night: Jacare vs Mousasi · Sep 5, 2014Split Decision · R3 · 5:00 · Middleweight
- LUFC Fight Night: Brown vs Silva · May 10, 2014Unanimous Decision · R3 · 5:00 · Middleweight
- L
- WUFC Fight Night: Teixeira vs Bader · Sep 4, 2013Unanimous Decision · R3 · 5:00 · Middleweight
- WUFC on FX: Belfort vs. Rockhold · May 18, 2013Unanimous Decision · R3 · 5:00 · Middleweight
- W
- L
- W
- W
- DJesse BongfeldtUFC 124: ST-PIERRE vs KOSCHECK · Dec 11, 2010MD · R3 · 5:00 · Middleweight
- LUFC Fight Night: Marquardt vs Palhares · Sep 15, 2010Unanimous Decision · R3 · 5:00 · Middleweight
- W
- WAllan WeickertRing of Combat 26 · Sep 11, 2009Submission · R1 · 2:53 · Middleweight
- LVictor O'DonnellRing of Combat 25 · Jun 12, 2009TKO · R1 · 5:00 · Middleweight
- WPlinio CruzRing of Combat 24 · Apr 17, 2009Submission · R2 · 3:13 · Middleweight
- WAlexandre MorenoRing of Combat 23 · Feb 20, 2009TKO · R1 · 3:59 · Middleweight
- WJon KirkSupreme Warrior Championship · Nov 28, 2008Submission
- LEduardo TellesRio de Janeiro Regional · Jul 12, 2008TKO
- WSilmar RodrigoBrazil Regional · Aug 11, 2007DEC
- WNailson BahiaBrazil Regional · Apr 29, 2007Submission
- WGerson ConceiçãoBrazil Regional · Apr 29, 2007DEC
- W
- WCarlos Eduardo SantosMinas Gerais Regional · Oct 1, 2005Submission
- WEmerson AvilaSao Paulo Regional · May 6, 2005Submission
- WWalter LuisSao Paulo Regional · May 6, 2005Submission
Frequently asked questions
Who won Robert Whittaker vs Rafael Natal?
Robert Whittaker defeated Rafael Natal by Unanimous Decision in round 3 (5:00) in the Middleweight bout of UFC 197: Jones vs Saint Preux, held Saturday, April 23, 2016 at MGM Grand Arena, Las Vegas. The judges scored it 30-27, 30-27, 29-28, Robert Whittaker won the decision.
What were the judges' scorecards for Robert Whittaker vs Rafael Natal?
The judges scored it 30-27, 30-27, 29-28, Robert Whittaker won the decision.
Was Robert Whittaker vs Rafael Natal a robbery?
Public scoring backed the judges: 100% of 60 fan cards scored it for Robert Whittaker; 100% of 22 media scores picked Robert Whittaker.