Robert Whittaker is preparing to headline before the biggest crowd in UFC history — and the largest fight ever on Australia soil — after Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium has finally been confirmed for UFC 243.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Whittaker, the UFC middleweight champion, is already being tipped to break a host of records when he fights rising New Zealand superstar Israel Adesanya in an October 6 blockbuster.

Despite the event being held on the same day as Sydney’s NRL Grand Final, UFC officials are bracing for a sold out event at Marvel Stadium, which holds almost 60,000 fans.

media_camera Robert Whittaker will fight Israel Adesanya in a UFC blockbuster at Marvel Stadium on October 6. Picture: Getty Images

Should the ‘Full House’ sign go up, the 28-year-old Sydneysider will effectively prove himself the greatest draw in Australian fight history — surpassing the likes of Jeff Fenech, Kostya Tszyu, Jeff Horn and Anthony Mundine.

Whittaker said he was “absolutely pumped” by the idea of headlining the biggest fight card in both Australian and UFC history, while also conceding he boasts “unfinished business” in Melbourne.

Back in February, Australia’s most dangerous man was forced to withdraw from his UFC 234 clash with American Kelvin Gastelum — a blockbuster that was supposed to be his first title defence on home soil — after being rushed to hospital with a collapsed and twisted bowel.

“So this show, it’s well overdue,” he said. “And to have the opportunity to potentially fight in front of 60,000 people, I’m absolutely pumped.

media_camera Whittaker is the UFC middleweight champion. Picture: Getty Images

“This fight, it’s going to be a milestone moment, not only for the Australian fight game but combat sports, period.

“MMA doesn’t often get these sorts of crowds.

“So to be one of the few fighters ever who gets to perform in front of an audience so large, it’s awesome.”

Importantly, Whittaker has never lost a UFC fight in Australia.

Despite having had to withdraw from his two previous title defences, both times for series injury, the reigning middleweight champ has won all five Octagon appearances in Sydney, Gold Coast, Adelaide and Melbourne, twice.

media_camera Israel Adesanya is one of the rising stars of the sport. Picture: AAP

“And I draw strength and energy from Australian crowds, definitely,” Whittaker continued.

“There’s also a lot more comforts that I can take advantage of too, like staying at home longer, being around my kids longer, not having to fly across the world. That’s all stuff I can take into the Octagon with me.”

Currently, the biggest fight crowd for both the UFC and Australia are the same thing — with a staggering 56,214 fans packing into Marvel Stadium (then Etihad Stadium) to watch megastar Ronda Rousey dethroned by American Holly Holm at UFC 193.

That fight occurred in 2015.

media_camera A huge crowd watched Holly Holm (left) beat Ronda Rousey in Melbourne in 2015. Picture: Getty Images

The largest crowd belonging to an Australian fighter is Queensland’s boxing superstar Jeff Horn, who headlined before a crowd of 51,052 when he fought, and beat, the legendary Manny Pacquiao at Suncorp Stadium in 2017.

Now, however, Whittaker is ready to beat both.

Back in February, Australia’s No. 1 combat artist needed just eight minutes to sell out Rod Laver Arena for what was supposed to be his first title defence on Australian soil.

Among the fastest sellouts ever at the Melbourne venue, it placed the Sydney slugger into the same stratosphere as global acts like Madonna, the Rolling Stones and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Unfortunately, Whittaker was forced to withdraw on the morning of his bout with Gastelum, rushed to hospital for emergency bowel surgery.



