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.
Since joining the UFC ranks in February of 2018, ‘Stylebender‘ has gone a perfect 6-0 while picking up notable victories over Marvin Vettori, Brad Tavares, Derek Brunson and Anderson Silva.
Meanwhile, Robert Whittaker will return to the Octagon for the first time in over 15 months at tonight’s UFC 243 event. ‘The Reaper’ was last seen in action at UFC 225 in June of 2018, where he defeated Yoel Romero via split decision in a ‘fight of the year’ performance.
UFC 243 is co-headlined by a key lightweight scrap featuring former title challenger Al Iaquinta taking on surging division contender Dan Hooker.
Al Iaquinta (14-5-1 MMA) was last seen in action at May’s UFC event in Ottawa, where he suffered a decision setback to Donald Cerrone. Prior to that, ‘Raging Al’ was coming off a win over perennial division contender Kevin Lee.
Meanwhile, Dan Hooker (18-8 MMA) was last seen in action at July’s UFC event in San Antonio where he scored a sensational knockout victory over James Vick. ‘The Hangman’ has won 5 of his past 6 fights overall entering UFC 243, with his lone loss in that stretch coming to Edson Barboza.
Get all of tonight’s UFC 243 Results and Highlights below:
UFC 243 Main Card (PPV, 10 p.m. ET)
Robert Whittaker (185) vs. Israel Adesanya (184) – Adesanya def. Whittaker via TKO (punches) at 3:33 of Round 2
Al Iaquinta (155) vs. Dan Hooker (155) – Hooker def. Iaquinta by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 30-26)
Tai Tuivasa (264) vs. Sergey Spivak (233) – Spivak def. Tuivasa via submission (arm triangle) at 3:14 of Round 2
Luke Jumeau (171) vs. Dhiego Lima (171) – Lima def. Jumeau by split decision (28-29, 29-28 x2)
Justin Tafa (265) vs. Yorgan De Castro (265) – De Castro def. Tafa via KO (punch) at 2:10 of Round 1
The year's first Contender Series signee lands a crushing KO, as Yorgan De Castro (6-0) renders Junior Tafa catatonic to claim his UFC debut! Cape Verde's "Mad Titan" has finished five, each by strikes and four in round one. #UFC243 pic.twitter.com/EO7BrtSrwz
— Kyle Johnson (@VonPreux) October 6, 2019
UFC 243 Preliminary Card (ESPN2, 8 p.m. ET)
Jake Matthews (171) vs. Rostem Akman (171) – Matthews def. Akman by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Callan Potter (171) vs. Maki Pitolo (170) – Potter def. Maki Pitolo via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Jamie Mullarkey (156) vs. Brad Riddell (156) – Riddell def. Mullarkey by unanimous decision (29-27, 30-26 x2)
Megan Anderson (146) vs. Zarah Fairn dos Santos (146) – Anderson def. Fairn dos Santos via submission (triangle choke) at 3:57 of Round 1
UFC 243 Preliminary Card (Fight Pass, 7 p.m. ET)
Nadia Kassem vs. Ji Yeon Kim – Kim def. Kassem via TKO (body shot) at 4:59 of Round 2
At 4:59 of round 2!
Ji Yeon Kim tees off, then puts Kassem away with a nasty body shot! #UFC243 pic.twitter.com/WA1VJRW2Bs
— UFC (@ufc) October 5, 2019
Khalid Taha (137) vs. Bruno Silva (136) – Taha def. Silva via submission (arm triangle choke) at 3:00 of Round 3
He submits the Brazilian BJJ black belt! @KhalidTahaMMA gets the late finish at #UFC243! pic.twitter.com/UdKWUvN6sA
— UFC (@ufc) October 5, 2019
Who are you picking to win tonight’s UFC 243 fights? Sound off in the comments section PENN Nation!
This article first appeared on BJPENN.com October 5, 2019