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 05:22 · Alex Pattle]

They touch gloves and we're underway.

[6 October 2019 05:23 · Alex Pattle]

Whittaker with a couple of oblique kicks and left hooks.

[6 October 2019 05:24 · Alex Pattle]

Whittaker is entering with looping left hooks to decent success at the moment.

[6 October 2019 05:25 · Alex Pattle]

Whittaker just misses with a wide right hand.

[6 October 2019 05:25 · Alex Pattle]

Adesanya suggests there was an eye poke. Referee Marc Goddard says it was accidental. Action resumes.

[6 October 2019 05:25 · Alex Pattle]

"Bobby" chants from the crowd for Robert Whittaker.

[6 October 2019 05:26 · Alex Pattle]

The champion blocks a couple of head kicks. Good defence.

[6 October 2019 05:26 · Alex Pattle]

Whittaker narrowly misses with a head kick now. One minute left in round 1.

[6 October 2019 05:28 · Alex Pattle]

Whittaker goes for a big combination, but doesn't get all of it. He's pushed the pace so far.

OH! Adesanya lands a huge knockdown on the buzzer!

Whittaker was definitely leading the round, but does that change it in the judges' eyes?

[6 October 2019 05:29 · Alex Pattle]

Whittaker not put off by that knockdown. He goes straight after Adesanya to start round 2 and he's wobbling his challenger slightly here.