The UFC returns to Sydney this Sunday for the first time since 2014 featuring former heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum taking on Marcin Tybura in the main event.
Werdum is one of the most decorated heavyweights of all time having submitted both Fedor Emelianenko and Cain Valasquez. He is 2-1 since losing the heavyweight title to Stipe Miocic last May, with his most recent victory being a submission win over Walt Harris at UFC 216.
Marcin Tybura is a Polish heavyweight whose most notable victory was his recent win over former heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski. A win over Werdum would propel him towards the top of the heavyweight rankings and in the discussion for a shot at the title.
Fight week will kick off on Thursday, November 16 with the open work outs. Full details below:
Thursday 16th November
What: UFC Fight Night Sydney Open Works Outs
Where: Parramatta Centenary Square, Church Street, Parramatta NSW 2150
When: 6-8:30pm
Who: Participants include
• Fabricio Werdum – No. 2 UFC heavyweight
• Marcin Tybura – No. 8 UFC heavyweight
• Bec Rawlings – UFC women’s strawweight
• Alex Volkanovski – UFC featherweight
• Ashkan Mokhtarian – UFC flyweight
• Tai Tuivasa – UFC heavyweight
Saturday 18th November
What: UFC Fight Night Sydney Weigh-ins
Where: Qudos Bank Arena – Convention Space Ballroom
When: 11am-1pm
* Open to the General Public – Get there early as spaces are limited
Sunday 19th November
What: UFC Fight Night : Werdum vs. Tybura
Where: Edwin Flack & Olympic Blvd, Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127
When: 9:30am – 7:30pm
Full fight card:
The Main Card | 2:00pm AEDT on FS6 and UFC Fight Pass
- Fabricio Werdum vs. Marcin Tybura
- Bec Rawlings vs. Jessy Rose-Clark
- Tim Means vs. Belal Muhammad
- Jake Matthews vs. Bojan Velickovic
- Daniel Kelly vs. Elias Theodorou
- Alexander Volkanovski vs. Shane Young
The Televised Prelims | 12:00pm AEDT on FS6 and UFC Fight Pass
- Ryan Benoit vs. Ashtan Mokhtarian
- Will Brooks vs. Nik Lentz
- Anthony Hamilton vs. Adam Wieczorek
- Damien Brown vs. Frank Camacho
The Early Prelims | 10:30am AEDT on UFC Fight Pass
- Alex Chambers vs. Nadia Kassem
- Jenel Lausa vs. Eric Shelton
- Rashad Coulter vs. Tai Tuivasa
Key match-ups
Alex Volkanovski vs. Shane Young
The first ever trans-Tasman battle will take place inside the octagon as Kiwi Shane Young steps up on 8 days’ notice to fight Alex Volkanovski. Young is the third fighter Volkanovski has had to prepare for after his previous two opponents pulled out. Volkanovski will be looking to grab his third win inside the octagon since making his debut in Melbourne one year ago. Because of the short notice, the fight will take place at a catch weight of 150 pounds (68 kg).
Will Brooks vs. Nick Lentz
Brooks entered the UFC as the reigning Bellator lightweight champion but has had a rocky start to his UFC career. After picking up a win against Ross Pearson, Brooks went on to suffer two consecutive losses for the first time in his career. He will be looking to rebound against Lentz, who last fought and lost to Islam Makhachev at UFC 208. Lentz is 2-1 since returning to the lightweight division after a stint at featherweight.
Bec Rawlings vs. Jessica Rose-Clarke
In the co-main event an all-Australian affair will take place as Jessica Rose-Clarke takes on Bec Rawlings. Rose-Clarke is taking the fight on short notice after Joanne Calderwood withdraw from the event.
Tai Tuivasa vs. Rashad Coulter
The first fight on the card is one not to be missed as Sydney-based heavyweight Tai ‘Bam Bam’ Tuivasa makes his long anticipated UFC debut. A former Sydney Roosters junior Tuivasa made the switch to MMA and has not looked back. He has compiled a 5-0 record as a professional, with all his wins coming inside the first round. His most recent win over veteran James McSweeny in the Australian Fighting Championship got Tuivasa the call up to the big show. At only 24 years of age and training partners such as Mark Hunt and Tyson Pedro, Tuivasa is one to keep your eyes on for the future. His opponent, American Rashad Coulter, also has six first-round finishes to his name. This fight is unlikely to go the distance.
Dan Kelly vs. Elias Theodorou
After a blistering four-fight winning streak that saw Kelly defeat former light-heavyweight champion Rashad Evans, Kelly was eventually undone when he fought Derek Brunson in Auckland this past June. The former Australian Olympic Judoka who recently turned 40 will be looking to get back into his winning ways when he takes on Canadian Elias Theodorou.
Damian Brown vs. Frank Camacho
Never in a dull fight, Queenslander Damian Brown will be looking to get his third UFC victory when he takes on Mariana Islands fighter Frank Camacho. Despite losing his UFC debut, Camacho, who took the fight on only 6 days’ notice, earned fight of the night honours and scored himself a four-fight contract with the UFC.
Jake Matthews vs. Bojan Velickovic
At only 23-years-old, Melbourne based fighter Jake Matthews has already fought seven times in the UFC. Usually a lightweight, Matthews will be making his welterweight debut against the Serb Velickovic. ‘The Celtic Kid’ will be looking to break a two-fight losing skid after coming up short against Andrew Holbrook and Kevin Lee in his most recent outings.
