UFC 243: Rob Whittaker vs. Israel Adesanya official for Melbourne

Pictured: Robert Whittaker & Israel Adesanya face-off at UFC seasonal press conference on July 5 (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

The biggest fight in the history of Australian and New Zealand mixed martial arts will take place in Australia.

UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker will defend his title against interim-middleweight champion Israel Adesanya on October 6th at Marvel stadium. UFC officials confirmed the news today via the Melbourne Sun.

The announcement ends months of speculation as to where the contest would take place.

While it is believed Sydney’s Bankwest Stadium was the initial frontrunner to host the event, the NRL Grand Final taking place in the city on the same day forced alternative venues to be looked at. Las Vegas was being touted as a possible replacement option but Australiasian fight fans can sigh in relief that the fight will not be taken abroad.

“I’m going to put on a fight this fall (spring in the southern hemisphere) in Australia that’s going to blow the f…… doors off that country,” Dana White said in a media scrum last month.

While no other fights have been made official for UFC 243, there are some big clashes expected to be announced for the blockbuster.

Rob Whittaker UFC 234 media scrum: “I strive to be the best fighter ever, that’s my goal.”