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Australia's Robert Whittaker has scored a unanimous victory over American Jared Cannonier in UFC254 on Fight Island.

Robert Whittaker has outclassed American Jared Cannonier to state his case for a rematch with UFC middleweight king Israel Adesanya.

In his second victory on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi in three months, the Australian outworked Cannonier before dropping him in the third and final round to take a unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).

"I'm very happy that it's all over and obviously we got the result we wanted ," former world champion Whittaker said from the Octagon.

"He's (Cannonier) tough, he's resilient.

"I thought I had him gone (but) he stayed in and then he got back up and started putting it on me.

"It was a good fight."

Solidifying his position as the top contender, Whittaker should be rewarded with a rematch with New Zealander Adesanya, who took his world title by knockout a year ago in Melbourne.

But Whittaker did not call out his title rival after the fight. Expecting his fourth child with wife Sofia in January, the Sydney star said he was only thinking about family.

"I'm going straight home and putting up my Christmas tree, I promised the kids," he said. "That's what's happening."

In a technical striking showcase, the 29-year-old looked a level above Cannonier, who had not fought in more than a year after undergoing pectoral surgery.

His left jab continually peppered the American's eye, although Cannonier landed some heavy leg kicks that left serious marks behind Whittaker's knee.

After two fairly even rounds, Whittaker set up a combination that he capped off with a staggering head kick and Cannonier went down.

The American eventually scrambled to his feet and threw everything at Whittaker to try to land a winning blow but the veteran was able to ride out the fight.