UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker and Interim UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya meet in a unification bout at UFC 243 on Sunday 6th October at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.
UFC Middleweight Title Bout: Robert Whittaker (c) vs. Israel Adesanya (ic)
Robert Whittaker (20-4) has been out of action since he was forced to withdraw from his title defense against Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 234 in February. The champion underwent emergency duel surgery for a twisted and collapsed bowl in addition to an internal hernia. Robert’s last appearance in the Octagon was against Yoel Romeo in a non-title fight at UFC 225 in June 2018. Whittaker defeated Romero via split decision in an amazing bout that earned the pair their second Fight of the Night award. Robert is on a 9 fight winning streak and has undefeated since moving up to the Middleweight division.
The undefeated Israel Adesanya (17-0) defeated Kelvin Gastelum via unanimous decision to capture the Interim UFC Middleweight title at UFC 236 in April. The New Zealander has picked up 3x Performance of the Night and 2x Fight of the Night bonuses since joining the promotion in 2018. Adesanya scored the biggest win of his career in Melbourne, Australia when he defeated former UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva at UFC 234 in February.
UFC 243 Main Card
Middleweight: Robert Whittaker (c) vs. Israel Adesanya (ic)
Lightweight: Al Iaquinta vs. Dan Hooker
Heavyweight: Tai Tuivasa vs. Serghei Spivak
Welterweight: Luke Jumeau vs. Dhiego Lima
UFC 243 Preliminary Card
Welterweight: Jake Matthews vs. Rostem Akman
Heavyweight: Justin Tafa vs. Yorgan De Castro
Welterweight: Callan Potter vs. Maki Pitolo
Women’s Featherweight: Megan Anderson vs. Zarah Fairn Dos Santo
UFC 243 Early Prelims
Lightweight: Jamie Mullarkey vs. Brad Riddell
Women’s Flyweight: Nadia Kassem vs. Ji Yeon Kim
Bantamweight: Khalid Taha vs. Bruno Silva
