UFC 243 result – Adesanya finishes Whittaker for middleweight title: Stream, updates, undercard results and more from Melbourne

Undefeated challenger dethroned Australian champion with a second-round knockout in the evening's main event

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UFC 243 saw Australian middleweight champion Robert Whittaker (20-5) dethroned in front of a home crowd as Israel Adesanya (18-0) remained undefeated and took the title.

Interim champion Adesanya finished the fight at 3:33 of the second round, catching Whittaker with consecutive hooks to make the Aussie's return to the ring after a 16-month absence an unsuccessful one.

In the co-main event of the evening, New Zealand's Dan Hooker defeated Al Iaquinta via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26).

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How can I watch it?

The event will be shown live on BT Sport 1, the BT Sport App and BTSport.com for subscribers.

Prediction

Both Whittaker and Adesanya are incredibly versatile and dangerous, and the odds show this one is a ‘pick ‘em’. The tall, rangy Adesanya is in the form of his life, having remarkably fought and won six times in just over a year since entering the UFC, and Whittaker’s last bout – 16 months ago – saw the Aussie take a lot of damage in his second consecutive win over middleweight monster Yoel Romero.

That said, Gastelum – despite a distinct height and reach disadvantage – was able to land regularly and heavily on Adesanya earlier this year, and should have finished ‘The Last Stylebender’.

Whittaker still has a shorter reach and height than his challenger this weekend, but not as severely as Gastelum. ‘The Reaper’ is also quicker and more well-rounded than Gastelum. Given Gastelum was able to damage ‘Stylebender’ as much as he did when the pair met, the experienced Whittaker should be able to inflict enough of an assault on his opponent to leave Marvel Stadium with his belt still around his waist.

Expect a war, though.

When is UFC 243?

The preliminary card starts at 12am (BST), followed by the main card at 3am (BST), with the main event fight expected to begin at around 5:30am.

How can I watch it?

The event will be shown live on BT Sport 1, the BT Sport App and BTSport.com for subscribers.

Full card

Robert Whittaker (c) vs. Israel Adesanya (ic) – middleweight championship

Al Iaquinta vs. Dan Hooker

Tai Tuivasa vs. Serghei Spivac

Luke Jumeau vs. Dhiego Lima

Justin Tafa vs. Yorgan De Castro

Prelims

Jake Matthews vs. Rostam Akman

Callan Potter vs. Maki Pitolo

Megan Anderson vs. Zarah Fairn Dos Santos

Brad Riddell vs. Jamie Mullarkey

Nadia Kassem vs. Ji Yeon Kim

Khalid Taha vs Bruno Silva

Key Points

• Israel Adesanya def. Robert Whittaker via KO (round 2, 3:33)
• Dan Hooker def. Al Iaquinta via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
• Sergey Spivak def. Tai Tuivasa via submission (arm-triangle - round 2, 3:14)
• Dhiego Lima def. Luke Jumeau via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Yorgan De Castro def. Justin Tafa via KO (round 1, 2:10)

[6 October 2019 04:45 · Alex Pattle]

A third strong kick by Hooker and Iaquinta's leg buckles slightly!

[6 October 2019 04:46 · Alex Pattle]

Iaquinta drives Hooker to the cage and lands a single-leg takedown, but Hooker stays composed and gets some nasty elbows and punches off! He takes the back and goes for a rear naked choke...

[6 October 2019 04:48 · Alex Pattle]

Iaquinta does well to keep Hooker's hands away from his neck, and eventually the American is back on his feet. Just under a minute left in the first round.

Iaquinta's leg has buckled numerous times now as a result of Hooker's leg kicks. He needs to start checking them.

Round 1 is done!

[6 October 2019 04:49 · Alex Pattle]

Iaquinta's corner tell him to "respect those kicks". Too right. Round two is upon us.

[6 October 2019 04:50 · Alex Pattle]

Sharp jab followed by a stinging body kick for Hooker. 

'Raging Al' is getting a bit busier now.

[6 October 2019 04:51 · Alex Pattle]

Iaquinta just misses with a head kick. Hooker replies with a kick of his own - a leg kick, of course, but this time it's inside to the left leg.

[6 October 2019 04:52 · Alex Pattle]

Iaquinta has switched stances due to the damage to his right leg. He's southpaw now, but Hooker is not discriminating; he's happy to blast the left, too.

[6 October 2019 04:53 · Alex Pattle]

Hooker lands another inside leg kick to Iaquinta's left, and immediately the American shoots for a takedown. Just like in the first round, though, Hooker is able to reverse the position after he's forced up to the fence.

[6 October 2019 04:55 · Alex Pattle]

Iaquinta collapses after ANOTHER leg kick and Hooker gains top position, looking to finish the fight.

With seconds remaining, Iaquinta goes for a leg lock, but it doesn't faze Hooker. He wags his finger!

Round two is in the books.

[6 October 2019 04:56 · Alex Pattle]

"Get your s*** together" is the message from former UFC fighter Matt Serra in Iaquinta's corner. A better round for Iaquinta, but he's surely two down on the judges' cards.