The main event will see ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ winners battle over UFC middleweight championship belt. Robert “The Reaper” Whittaker winner of ‘THE ULITIMATE FIGHTER: THE SMASHES’ and Kelvin Gastelum winner ‘THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER: TEAM JONES vs. TEAM SONNEN’ are proof of TUF’s legacy.
Up until this point the fighters have shared similar paths. Both have shown dominance at welterweight before, external factors caused them to make middleweight their home. The renewed focus has caused them to take on the middleweight division. However, only one can hold the belt, who’s TUF enough?
Mirror match
The co-main event at UFC 234: WHITTAKER vs. GASTELUM is one of the most fascinating fights in UFC history. No.6 ranked middleweight fighter, Israel “The Last
Stylebender” Adesanya, will take on his idol no.15 ranked middleweight Anderson “The Spider” Silva.
Adesanya has made it known he studied his longtime hero Silva for years, claiming to know “The Spider” better than he knows himself. Not afraid of the spotlight, Adesanya said “I will Anderson Silva, Anderson Silva. Scratch that I will Israel Adesanya, Anderson Silva.”
The former best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, Anderson Silva, is coming off a two-year break since his last fight. Throughout Silva’s dominant career he has picked apart a lot of fighters, however, he’s never come up against a fighter that could mirror his style move for move.
Don’t blink, the explosive natures of these two fighters and the added striking skill sets mean this fight could be over before you know it. Pay attention because this one might not make it out of the first round…or minute.
The champ is here
UFC 234: WHITTAKER vs. GASTELUM will host a number of past and no doubt future champions. A little-known fact is Lando “Groovy” Vannata has already had success in other sports.
Vannata will fight Marcos “Dhalsim” Rosa in a lightweight bout down under, but at just 6 years old Lando Vannata was already a two-time national champion in BMX.
Achieving national championships at a young age has propelled him to reach the bright lights of the UFC.
Fight Card and How to Watch
3:00AM GMT (Main Card) (BT Sport 2)
Robert “The Reaper” Whittaker vs Kelvin Gastelum
Israel “The Last Stylebender” Adesanya vs Anderson “The Spider” Silva
Rani Yahya vs Ricky Simon
Montana De La Rosa vs Nadia Kassem
1:00 AM GMT Prelims (UFC Fight Pass /BT Sport 2)
Jim Crute vs Sam “Smile’N” Alvey
Devonte “King Kage” Smith vs Dong Hyun “The Maestro” Ma
Shane Young vs Austin “Golden Boy” Arnett
Kai “Don’t Blink” Kara-France vs Raulian Paiva
Teruto “Yashabo” Ishihara vs Kyung Ho “Mr. Perfect” Kang
11:30 PM GMT UFC Fight Pass Prelims (UFC Fight Pass)
Lando “Groovy” Vannata vs Marcos “Dhalsim” Rosa
Callan “The Rockstar” Potter vs Jalin “The Tarantula” Turner
Wuliji “Beast Master” Buren vs Jonathan “Dragon” Martinez