Israel Adeysanya has finally got his world title shot.
Israel Adesanya (R) will get his UFC middleweight title fight against Robert Whittaker in Melbourne on 6 October. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2019 www.photosport.nz
Adeysanya will fight UFC middleweight champion, New Zealand born Australian Robert Whittaker, in Melbourne on 6 October.
At one time the fight had been rumoured to go to Sydney, where Whittaker lives, but it is occurring on NRL grand final day in that city.
The past two times Whittaker has been scheduled to fight in Australia, at Perth Arena in February 2018 and Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena in February 2019, he had to withdraw through injury or illness but will hoping its third time lucky.
Whittaker's past three fights were in America and he last fought in Australia in November 2016 - in Melbourne.
See you in Melbourne
— UFC Aus/New Zealand (@UFC_AUSNZ) July 23, 2019
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With Whittaker not fighting since June last year, Nigerian-born Adesanya won an interim title fight against American Kelvin Gastelum in April.
Whittaker himself won an interim title against Cuban Yoel Romero in July 2017.
He was later upgraded to full champion after the incumbent Georges St-Pierre vacated the title.
Whittaker, who has a 20-4 MMA record, is on a nine-fight UFC win streak and last lost in February 2014.
Adesanya has a 17-0 MMA record, his last six wins coming in the UFC.
"This is the perfect fight at the perfect time with the two best athletes in the division," UFC president Dana White said.
-AAP
