UFC 234: Whittaker vs Gastelum - Preview
The ludicrously stacked UFC Middleweight Division gives us another terrific title fight this weekend as the UFC travels to the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. Two of the Middleweight division’s most entertaining strikers will slug it out in the main event as champion Robert Whittaker aims to settle his Ultimate Fighter rivalry with Kelvin Gastelum. In the co-main event Australia’s own Israel Adesanya challenges the legendary Anderson Silva followed by Bantamweight fight between top grapplers Rani Yahya and Ricky Simon.
Middleweight Title Bout – Robert Whittaker vs Kelvin Gastelum
Following a season coaching against each other on The Ultimate Fighter, middleweight champion Robert Whittaker will finally clash with Kelvin Gastelum in the UFC 234 main event.
Fighters Profiles
Robert Whittaker
Since moving up to 185 pounds, Robert Whittaker has been phenomenal and undefeated. With eight straight wins, including victories over Yoel Romero, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza and Derek Brunson, Whittaker is a devastating striker with knockout power in every limb. Along with amazing striking power, he has also shown incredible takedown defence while going up against some elite wrestlers in his career. The biggest question mark will be on the health of Robert Whittaker, who sustained heavy injuries in his last two fights against Yoel Romero.
Kelvin Gastelum
Kelvin Gastelum comes into the title fight with a 5-1 record with one no contest, including a stunning knockout against former champion Michael Bisping. Much like Whittaker, Gastelum is a former Welterweight who has looked even better at Middleweight while showcasing a deadly boxing game that may be the best in the division. The fight against Whittaker, a justifiably highly-regarded champion, gives Gastelum the opportunity to put together a performance to remember and if Gastelum can consistently outmanoeuvre Whittaker, one would be hard-pressed to deny his status as the best middleweight on the planet.
This fight could be a first-round knockout or a five-round war, and that’s what makes it such an intriguing matchup between champion and challenger.
Middleweight Bout – Israel Adesanya vs Anderson Silva
Fighters Profile
Israel Adesanya
The surging middleweight contender takes on the division’s former long-time ruler in the co-main event of UFC 234. Israel Adesanya comes into this fight with a perfect 15-0 record, four of those wins coming in the UFC, including a brutal first-round finish of Derek Brunson last November. Israel Adesanya is a former kickboxer with excellent technique and dynamic range of weapons on his feet make him explosive and unpredictable. The Nigerian born New Zealander is a must-watch fighter these days and is arguably the best in the sport when it comes to using his legs and knees. The only concern for Adesanya is that he’s shown little to no ground game, as he’s all stand up striking.
Anderson Silva
Anderson Silva is widely regarded as one of the greatest UFC champions of all times. Silva comes from a Muay Thai background, which means he also possesses some of the nastiest knees and elbows in the game. The only concern for the 43-year old Brazilian is that he hasn’t competed since his win over Derek Brunson at UFC 208 in February 2017. Speaking to media before UFC 234, the former middleweight champion believes he will face his mirror image in Israel Adesanya. “I know him better than he knows himself. I will be fighting my clone and I’m better than this clone.”
This co-main event can be viewed as the past versus the future, but Silva isn’t about to pass the torch to Adesanya with a potential title shot on the line for the winner.
More Fights on SONY ESPN and SONY ESPN HD
Bantamweight Rani Yahya vs Ricky Simons
Lightweight Ricky Simons vs David Teymur
Women Flyweight Montana De La Rosa vs Nadia Kassem
Light Heavyweight Jim Crute vs Sam Alvey
You can catch these fights in India Live and Exclusive on SONY ESPN and SONY ESPN HD channels on February 10, 2019, at 8.30 am (IST).