UFC president Dana White has revealed Robert Whittaker could be in for consecutive world title blockbusters in Australia, including an ANZ Stadium showdown with rising New Zealand phenomenon Israel Adesanya.

In an exclusive interview with The Daily Telegraph, White has confirmed Whittaker will next defend his middleweight title at UFC 234 in Melbourne on February 10.

The 27-year-old Sydneysider, on an unbeaten run stretching nine fights, will face American Kelvin Gastelum at Rod Laver Arena.

media_camera Middleweight champion Rob Whittaker. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

And only hours after arriving into Sydney on his private jet, the UFC boss also confirmed Adesanya — who is himself unbeaten in four Octagon appearances — was “absolutely” a chance of being next in line for Whittaker’s strap.

In fact, White revealed the rising Kiwi superstar was flying into Sydney on Wednesday morning for a meeting to discuss his future.

Asked if those talks could involve a world title fight with Whittaker, White replied: “It’s very possible, yes.

“That’s why he’s flying in here, Israel wants to meet with me and talk.

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“When he read (via The Daily Telegraph website) that I was flying in here this week, he said he wanted to come across and talk. And that’s awesome.

“Because if you saw the press conference after his most recent win (against Derek Brunson at UFC 230) I said that he and I needed to get together. So this is perfect.”

And should that UFC showdown take place, it would have to be on this side of the globe, right?

“Right,” White grinned. “That would certainly make the most sense.

“In fact, if these two guys fight, it’s something I would really look at doing in a stadium here.”

media_camera UFC President Dana White is in Sydney to announce Whittaker-Gastelum at Rod Laver Arena. Picture: Richard Dobson

Boasting an estimated net worth of $500 million, White is in Sydney to attend GQ Magazine Man of the Year awards.

And the UFC boss predicted Whittaker, who is also a nominee in the sports category, was set to rise up among Australia’s most recognisable athletes in 2019.

“Which seems ridiculous, that we’re still talking about Rob becoming mainstream in his own country,” White said. “But from what I hear from my people here, Rob doesn’t love doing PR.

media_camera Whittaker must get through Kelvin Gastelum (L) before a potential showdown with Israel Adesanya. Picture: Getty

“But while you may not always remember what he says, you never forget the way he fights.

“And personally, I love his style. He says, you’re not going to take me down ... and I’m going to knock you out.

“If you look at fighters from the past, they’re the most popular guys.

“Obviously you have those fighters with the incredible talent — like and Anderson Silva — guys that just have a style of beautiful violence, but people also love those guys who stuff the takedowns and knock people out, like Chuck Liddell.”

media_camera Kiwi phenom Israel Adesanya has captivated the fighting world. Picture: AP

And as for Adesanya, the Nigerian-born phenom who, after making has UFC debut in February, has fought four times, won as many and risen to No.6 in the middleweight rankings?

“Israel is one of those guys who, if he can deliver, if he can win a world title, he will be incredibly famous,” White said. “And famous all over the planet.

“This kid can be incredibly big.

“I love everything about him. The way he talks, the way he fights ... and the kid wants to fight every month.

“You want to make shitloads of money? Fight as much as you can.”

Asked if Adesanya would now be on ‘standby’ for UFC 234, in case of injury to the headline fighters, White added: “It would definitely be hard to say no.

“But if I do the title fight between Israel and Rob I’d really want the time to promote it properly.

“Possibly in a big stadium down here.

“We’ll see what happens.”

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