UFC 243 News

Chris Taylor - October 6, 2019

UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones was watching last night’s UFC 243 main event between Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker with keen interest. After all, ‘Bones’ and ‘Stylebender’ had been going back and forth on social media and interviews for months in the lead up to tonight’s event.

Adam Martin - October 6, 2019

Over 57,000 fans got to see a great night of fights at UFC 243, and now it’s time to look ahead at what’s next for the winners. Who’s next for new UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya? We answer that question and others as we play matchmaker for UFC 243. Israel Adesanya vs. Jon Jones

Natasha Hooper - October 5, 2019

The interim champ, Israel Adesanya collided with the middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker in the main event of UFC 243. The much-anticipated bout was expected to break the UFC’s all-time attendance record and saw the Kiwi athletes fight for undisputed middleweight gold. The rising UFC prospect, Adesanya entered the Octagon on an undefeated 17-0 record. His official UFC debut was only a year and a half ago, but ‘The Last Stylebender’ had already fought 6 bouts. His MMA accomplishments include 13 TKO finishes, a $150,000 UFC fight-night bonus award and the 2019’s MMA award for breakthrough fighter of the year. The kickboxer’s short but rapid growth in the UFC was a result of his winning tally against stars such as Brad Tavares, Derek Brunson, Anderson Silva and Kelvin Gastelum. His flamboyant yet streamlined striking style has captured the attention of fans. Along with his magnetic aura, Adesanya has been compared to the likes of Jon Jones and Anderson Silva. However, his UFC 243 title bout against Robert Whittaker presented a new level of competition.

Chris Taylor - October 5, 2019

Dustin Poirier has responded to Dan Hooker’s request for a fight, but says that will have to wait because he is fighting Conor McGregor next. Hooker had defeated Al Iaquinta by unanimous decision in the co-main event of UFC 243 in what can only be described as a sensational performance from ‘The Hangman’.

Chris Taylor - October 5, 2019

A middleweight title unification bout between Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya headlined tonight’s UFC 243 pay-per-view event in Melbourne, Australia. Israel Adesanya (17-0 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since April’s UFC 236 event where he scored a thrilling unanimous decision victory over Kelvin Gastelum to capture the promotions interim middleweight title.

Chris Taylor - October 5, 2019

A middleweight title unification bout between Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya headlines tonight’s UFC 243 pay-per-view event in Melbourne, Australia. Israel Adesanya (17-0 MMA) was last seen in action at April’s UFC 236 event where he scored a thrilling unanimous decision victory over Kelvin Gastelum to capture the promotions interim middleweight title.

Natasha Hooper - October 5, 2019

Tonight at UFC 243 at the Marvel Stadium in Australia, Al Iaquinta faced Dan Hooker in the co-main event. Al ‘Raging’ Iaquinta entered the Octagon against Dan Hooker and looked to recover from his last fight: a unanimous decision loss to Donald Cerrone. The perennial division contenders faced off in the main event of UFC Ottowa. Iaquinta absorbed some early shots and couldn’t adapt his fighting enough to sway the decision victory. Nevertheless, his performance against Cerrone demonstrated his reliance which also made him a tough adversary for Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 223. ‘Raging’ Al proved his stock in the lightweight division during his successful wins against Kevin Lee (twice), Ryan Couture and Diego Sanchez.

Chris Taylor - October 5, 2019

A key lightweight bout featuring former title challenger Al Iaquinta taking on Dan Hooker co-headlines tonight’s UFC 243 event in Melbourne, Australia. Al Iaquinta (14-5-1 MMA) was last seen in action at May’s UFC event in Ottawa, where he suffered a unanimous decision setback to Donald Cerrone. Prior to his loss to ‘Cowboy’, ‘Raging Al’ was coming off a decision victory over perennial division contender Kevin Lee.

Chris Taylor - October 5, 2019

Kelvin Gastelum decided to take a jab at Robert Whittaker shortly after it was announced that the champion had arrived at the stadium for UFC 243. ‘Bobby Knuckles’ is set to take on undefeated interim middleweight title holder Israel Adesanya (17-0 MMA) in tonight’s pay-per-view headliner.

Chris Taylor - October 5, 2019

A women’s featherweight bout between Megan Anderson and Zarah Fairn dos Santos kicked off tonight’s UFC 243 televised prelims. Anderson entered tonight’s contest sporting a record of 9-4. In her most recent Octagon appearance, the Australian suffered a first round submission loss to Canadian standout Felicia Spencer.

Chris Taylor - October 5, 2019

The Octagon returns to Melbourne, Australia tonight for UFC 243, an eleven-bout fight card headlined by Israel Adesanya vs. Robert Whittaker. Israel Adesanya (17-0 MMA) was last seen in action at April’s UFC 236 event where he scored a thrilling unanimous decision victory over Kelvin Gastelum to capture the promotions interim middleweight title.

Chris Taylor - October 5, 2019

Paulo Costa will be watching tonight’s UFC 243 middleweight title unification bout between Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker with great interest. The undefeated Brazilian, Costa (13-0 MMA), is expected to be the next man to challenge for the promotions coveted middleweight title.

Natasha Hooper - October 4, 2019

During an interview with Brett Okamoto, Israel Adesanya reacted to the barrage of insults he received from Jon Jones on Twitter this week. Recently, Israel Adesanya made several comments about a potential octagon showdown against the light heavyweight champion. Jon Jones’ was not impressed with the call out and attacked the 30-year-old in a heated rant.

Mike Pendleton - October 3, 2019

With UFC 243 right around the corner, current UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker will return to action, after being away for 16 months in a title unification fight against interim champion Israel Adesanya. In what many are calling the biggest fight in Australia and New Zealand history, the two fighters have been given star treatment by the UFC and their host venue of Marvel Stadium in the build-up to the fight. With plenty of media, appearances, and attention being given to both fighters, “The Last Stylebender”, Adesanya, believes he’s built for the pressure of a main event this meaningful.

Christopher Taylor - October 3, 2019

Current UFC interim middleweight champ Israel Adesanya has taken a shot at Yoel Romero in his latest warning to reigning division kingpin Robert Whittaker. Israel Adesanya (17-0 MMA) will square off with Robert Whittaker (20-4 MMA) in the headliner of this weekend’s highly anticipated UFC 243 pay-per-view event from Australia.

Mike Pendleton - October 3, 2019

As UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker and interim middleweight champion Israel Adesanya prepare to unify their titles in the main event of UFC 243, the anticipation is high. There have been many who believe this fight will break UFC records for highest attendance, and it is widely considered the biggest fight in Oceanic history given the pair’s ties to Australia and New Zealand. While both Whittaker and Adesanya are confident heading into this matchup, the UFC has set this fight up to be a spectacle for those in Australia as they have Marvel Stadium playing host to UFC 243.

Natasha Hooper - October 3, 2019

This weekend Israel Adesanya goes head to head against Robert Whittaker in the main event of UFC 243. Want to know how to watch this UFC event? Find out below The event takes place at the Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia. It starts on Saturday 5th October for the United States and Sunday the 6th of October for Australia. Find the official start times for the US, Australia and the UK below:

Cole Shelton - October 2, 2019

Israel Adesanya is set to fight for the middleweight title at UFC 243 against Robert Whittaker. It is being billed as the biggest fight in the history of the Oceanic region. It is also a fight that could catapult ‘The Last Stylebender’ to superstardom. He is already a big name in the UFC, but his coach, Eugene Bareman believes a win at UFC 243 makes Israel Adesanya the biggest active star in the UFC.