The fight capital, Las Vegas is being shopped around as a possible venue for the Robert Whittaker versus Israel Adesanya title fight, according to a report by The Daily Telegraph.
The switch to Las Vegas is being suggested due to a clash with the NRL Grand Final on October 6, just a suburb away from the Sydney’s new Bankwest Stadium. This is where Whittaker is hoping the fight takes place.
The report quoted Whittaker’s agent Titus Day as saying the October 6 date was “extremely likely” with Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium the other favourite, though officials from both Bankwest Stadium and Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium are also hopeful in attracting the middleweight title fight.
It should be noted that the Rugby League Grand Final won’t likely begin until after 7 pm local time, well after the UFC has concluded.
Whittaker is riding a nine-fight winning streak having last competed back in June 2018 against Yoel Romero. The 28-year-old was scheduled to defend his title earlier this year at UFC 234 but was struck down with a hernia hours before a fight against Kelvin Gatstelum.
His opponent, New Zealand based Israel Adesanya has capitalised, defeating Anderson Silva in the main event of UFC 234. He then went on to win a decision against Kelvin Gastelum to earn himself a title shot.
The Daily Telegraph indicated that the UFC is likely to make a venue decision in the coming weeks.
Whittaker fires back at Adesanya : “If I’m a fake New Zealander, then what is he?”