A middleweight title unification bout between UFC champion Robert Whittaker and interim titleholder Israel Adesanya was made official earlier today (Fri., July 5, 2019) by UFC officials.
The 185-pound scrap has been talked about since June, but will now take place at UFC 243 on October 5. While no location or venue was named, Whittaker vs. Adesanya is expected to take place in Australia.
OFFICIAL: The ANZACS take center stage at #UFC243 https://t.co/9mhxBCyIDI pic.twitter.com/ZoQHt9NYar
— UFC Aus/New Zealand (@UFC_AUSNZ) July 5, 2019
Whittaker, 28, was expected to defend his middleweight title against Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 234 this past March before an unexpected hernia knocked him out of commission. Despite his inability to stay healthy, Whittaker remains undefeated at 185 pounds at 8-0 and is one of the best fighters in the world. A victory over “Last Stylebender” will solidify Whittaker’s championship status and line him up for a promising middleweight title reign entering 2020.
Adesanya, 29, has won his first six Octagon appearances including a recent interim title fight opposite Gastelum at UFC 236 this past April. The former kickboxing standout has taken UFC by storm since last year and is already drawing comparisons to the likes of Anderson Silva and Jon Jones. If Adesanya wants to cash in on those comparisons he needs to defeat Whittaker in style and claim the undisputed 185-pound crown.
So, Maniacs. Who do you have winning this title unification bout?
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