Report: Whittaker-Adesanya Middleweight Unification Bout To Take Place at UFC 243 in Melbourne

The hugely anticipated battle between Australian UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker and the Nigerian-born New-Zealand based interim champ Israel Adesanya appears to be set for UFC 243 at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.

The destination and venue for the biggest-ever MMA event down under was first reported by Combate’s Raphael Marinho (via Aaron Bronsteter).

“Combate’s @raphamarinho reports that the UFC will be holding UFC 243 at the 55,000+ capacity Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on October 5.

“Dana White hinted yesterday that they would be bringing the fight between Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya to Australia.”

Combate's @raphamarinho reports that the UFC will be holding UFC 243 at the 55,000+ capacity Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on October 5.

Dana White hinted yesterday that they would be bringing the fight between Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya to Australia. https://t.co/KHeNw9XFYH

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) June 19, 2019

Melbourne has a rich sporting history and styles itself the “sporting capital of the world,” as it plays host to major events in such sports as soccer, tennis and car racing.

UFC President Dana White spoke about the event during yesterday’s media scrum at the new Apex facility, claiming that he would “blow the f---ing doors off” Australia with a stacked card for the high-profile event.

The UFC is no stranger to Melbourne, as it hosted its first event there in late 2015 for UFC 193 when Holly Holm stunned the world, knocking out Ronda Rousey in what was considered one of the biggest upsets in UFC history.