Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
A top middleweight fight between Robert Whittaker and Darren Till looks set to headline the UFC’s upcoming trip to Dublin late this summer.
It sounds like former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whitaker is set to make his first return to the Octagon since losing his title to Isreal Adesanya in October of 2019. The UFC is apparently targeting the ‘Reaper’ to meet Darren Till in the main event of UFC Dublin.
ESPN first reported the news. Till had initially agreed to fight Jared Cannonier at UFC 248 this past weekend, but Cannonier said the fight was scratched before it was ever finalized after he tore his pectoral muscle.
Whittaker’s (20-5) loss to Adesanya was his first defeat since 2014. The New Zealand based fighter won the interim title back in June 2018 against Yoel Romero, and was later promoted to the undisputed champion after Georges St-Pierre vacated the belt title.
Till (18-2-1) made his middleweight debut at UFC 244 last November, following consecutive losses at 170-pounds. He defeated former interim title challenger Kelvin Gastelum by decision in his first fight at 185. Despite just one fight in his new division Till has found himself already ranked sixth with that victory.
UFC Dublin takes place on August 15th at the 3Arena, no other bouts have been announced for the card as of yet. Stay tuned to Bloody Elbow for more news and updates as it happens.