The biggest fight in Australia’s MMA history is on – we just don’t know where it’ll be at.
UFC president Dana White confirmed on Saturday morning that defending UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker will fight Israel Adesanya on October 6.
No venue has been locked down yet.
It's on. #UFC243
— UFC Aus/New Zealand (@UFC_AUSNZ) July 5, 2019
UFC,com/243 pic.twitter.com/NqeehQM4nN
“We’re working on it, we’re working on it,” White said Saturday at the UFC Summer press conference. “We have options. We’ll have it done soon.”
“We don’t have a venue and we’re looking at different options right now. We’re working it..but, yeah it could be in Australia. If I had something to tell you it would be done. You can grill me all day, I’m going to tell you nothing.”
UFC Australia have been contacted for comment.
October 6 may ring a bell: it’s also the date for the NRL grand final.
While the fight will be competing with the NRL for press during fight week, the main event speaks for itself.
Whittaker hasn’t fought since defending his belt in June, 2018 against Yoel Romero.
Nigerian-born Kiwi Adesanya is undefeated since getting his UFC papers, going 6-0 and getting the decision over 185 pound contender Kelvin Gastelum at UFC236 to clean the interim title strap.
"You know I've never cared who I fight - literally the UFC threw me anyone who was on a win streak or who was the next prospect," Whittaker said back in January.
"If I had to say, I'd like to fight Adesanya.
"One, he's been asking for it. And two, I like that fight, I like the way he fights.
"He's a distance fighter, he likes to utilise his striking, which agrees with me. I'm a distance fighter, but I close distance really fast and I hit very hard.
"I think I'd surprise him. It is what it is."
Tickets aren't yet available, but you can register your interest for pre-sale tickets here.
