A middleweight title fight between champion Robert Whittaker and top challenger Kelvin Gastelum has been named the main event for UFC 234.
The UFC officially announced the bout will headline a Feb. 10 card at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia.
Whittaker (20-4) is riding a nine-fight winning streak, including back-to-back decision victories over Yoel Romero. The New Zealand-born Australian has received five post-fight bonuses (three for Fight of the Night, two for Performance of the Night) over his past four bouts illustrating his fan-friendly fighting style. This will mark the sixth time Whittaker has competed in Australia during his UFC tenure.
Gastelum (15-3, one no-contest) earned his title shot by following up a knockout win over former champion Michael Bisping with a split decision victory over Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza in May. Gastelum’s lone loss in the UFC’s 185-pound division was to former champ Chris Weidman.
Both Whittaker and Gastelum are past winners of The Ultimate Fighter reality series and both are former welterweights that took their respective skill sets to another level after moving up a weight class.
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