Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to the pay-per-view (PPV) market his Saturday night (Feb. 9, 2019) with UFC 234: “Whittaker vs Gastelum,” which takes place inside Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia.
The event will see current Middleweight champion Robert Whittaker defend his strap against No. 1 contender, Kevin Gastelum. The two men got to know each other as opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF), but it will be all business once the cage door slams shut.
In the co-main event, Anderson Silva returns after a lengthy hiatus from action to face rising 185-pound contender, Israel Adesanya, who has long been compared to “Spider” due to their similar styles. “The Last Stylebender,” however, wants to make it known he is one of a kind and isn’t trying to emulate the career and style of one of the greatest to ever do it.
Before all of the fighters get it on Saturday night, take a look at their last-minute preparations as they gear up for the all important showdowns.
On Episode 1 of UFC 234 Embedded, former middleweight champion Anderson Silva puts his skills and personality on display for media members at his LA gym. Middleweight title challenger Kelvin Gastelum prepares nearby in Orange County, surrounded by paintings and his panda. Middleweight champion Robert Whittaker reaps the benefits of a home-country bout, relaxing in his Sydney home with his wife and children.
T-minus five days!
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 234 fight card on Saturday, starting with the Fight Pass “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. ET, then the remaining undercard balance on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET, before the PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET.
For the complete UFC 234 fight card click here.