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
On Friday, the promotion announced that middleweight king Whittaker (20-4) will be facing interim middleweight champ Adesanya (17-0) to unify the titles at UFC 243. Conflicting reports have come in regarding the location of the event, including an earlier report that the event would be held in Melbourne, Australia.
Whittaker has been out of action since a split decision victory in his rematch against Yoel Romero at UFC 225 in June 2018. Since moving up to the 185-pound division in 2014, Whittaker has yet to taste defeat, winning nine straight including two over Romero as well as a knockout of Ronaldo Souza. The relocation to middleweight proving fruitful, the fighter affectionately referred to as "Bobby Knuckles" has won five post-fight bonuses in his last four outings.
Adesanya has never lost as a professional, knocking out 13 of his 17 opponents within two rounds, including each of his first 12 foes. Since Whittaker's last bout in June 2018, "The Last Stylebender" has competed four times, beating the likes of Anderson Silva and Derek Brunson while earning a post-fight bonus in each of those four. His last battle came against Kelvin Gastelum for the interim strap at UFC 236 in April, where the two engaged in a frontrunner for "Fight of the Year" consideration.
UFC 243 takes place on Oct. 5 at a to-be-announced venue in a to-be-determined location. No other bouts have yet been announced for the event.