Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
A hard-hitting middleweight bout could be on its way to Dublin, as ESPN is reporting that former division champion, Robert Whittaker, and Darren Till are closE to finalizing a deal that will see them headline the upcoming UFC Fight Night event in Ireland on August 15.
This will be Whittaker’s first fight since losing his 185-pound strap to Israel Adesanya at UFC 243 last October. The loss snapped “The Reaper’s” nine-fight win streak, which dated back to his days competing as a welterweight. Whittaker was in line to make his return at last weekend’s (Sat., March 7) UFC 248 event against Jared Cannonier, but bowed out of the fight for undisclosed reasons.
Till, meanwhile, made his successful leap to middleweight at UFC 244 last November by defeating Kelvin Gastelum via split decision. Prior to making the jump up, Till had racked up 17 straight wins at 170 pounds before dropping back-to-back outings against Tyron Woodley and Jorge Masvidal.
The winner here could make a case for a shot at the title, which is still in the hands of Israel Adesanya after “The Last Stylebender” defeated Yoel Romero at UFC 248 (see the highlights here).
Of course, by the time fight night rolls around, there is no telling who will be division king, as Adesanya is expected to defend his title against Paulo Costa later this year. And don’t forget Jared Cannonier is still lurking.
Early predictions?