Pay-per-view UFC event heads to Sydney for the first time in over 12 years… with Aussie champion Robert Whittaker a big chance to headline the event with superstar Kiwi Israel Adesanya
- UFC looks set to return to Sydney in late 2023
- Adesanya will fight the winner over Whittaker and Du Plessis
- Sydney’s last UFC PPV event was in 2011
Aussie UFC star Robert Whittaker is just one fight away from a title shot against champion Israel Adesanya – and Dana White is set to host the blockbuster showdown in Sydney.
UFC president White announced on Saturday that Whittaker would face undefeated South African Dricus du Plessis in a middleweight division No. 1 bout.
“The winner of that fight will fight Adesanya later this year,” White said in a video posted to social media. “And that fight is aimed at Sydney, Australia.”
At this stage, the UFC has not yet announced a date for the Sydney card, which will most likely take place towards the end of the year.
The main MMA organization last held a show in Sydney in 2017, but has not held a pay-per-view event in the city since 2011.
Aussie UFC star Robert Whittaker is just one fight away from a title shot against champion Israel Adesanya – and Dana White plans to host the blockbuster showdown in Sydney
UFC President Dana White announced on Saturday that Whittaker would face undefeated South African Dricus du Plessis in a Middleweight Division No. 1 bout
There is a huge appetite for the sport Down Under with the recent highly successful UFC 284 event at Perth’s RAC Arena breaking stadium attendance records and doing wonders for West Aussie tourism.
Should Whittaker beat Dricus du Plessis in the eliminator, he would face Adesanya for a third time – with the Nigerian reigning title holder beating him on both occasions.
Du Plessis has won all five of his UFC bouts, beating Darren till and Derek Brunson, among others.
In addition to his fights with Adesanya, Whittaker is undefeated at middleweight and enjoying a shot at Du Plessis.
“Well, what a storyline if he beats me,” said the Australian Fox Sports.
He won’t do it though. But if he wants to try to jump in front of the line, I’ll beat him up first.
“And then there’s no one left.”
Should Whittaker beat Dricus du Plessis in the eliminator, he will take on Adesanya for a third time – with the Nigerian reigning title holder beating him on both occasions
Du Plessis has won all five of his UFC bouts, beating Darren till and Derek Brunson, among others
Whittaker, coming off a dominant win over Marvin Vettori, believes he will have Adesanya’s number the next time the pair clash.
“I’m chasing that redemption fight because I know the next time we cross paths I’m going to beat him,” he said.
‘And I know that wholeheartedly. Because the puzzle that is Adesanya has taken me to the next level.
“You saw that in my last fight with Marvin Vettori. And now I’m going to show you (again) how that puzzle took me to that next level… handily beating Adesanya the next time we cross paths.”