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)

[5 October 2019 18:58 · Jack Rathborn]

Here is Indy Sport's prediction for the big fight. 

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.

[5 October 2019 23:20 · Alex Pattle]

While all eyes are on the main event, the co-main is an intriguing match-up, too. Al Iaquinta versus New Zealand’s own Dan Hooker, three rounds in the lightweight division. Expect a real back-and-forth contest.

[6 October 2019 04:25 · Alex Pattle]

Thanks for joining us for the co-main event and main event of UFC 243. The co-main is up next!

[6 October 2019 04:35 · Alex Pattle]

Fan favourite Tai Tuivasa just lost via submission to Sergey Spivak. It was an arm-triangle choke that got it done at 3:14 of round 2!

Big win for Spivak in the heavyweight division.

[6 October 2019 04:38 · Alex Pattle]

Earlier in the night, Dhiego Lima edged past Luke Jumeau with a split decision win (29-28, 28-29, 29-28), using leg kicks really well on his way to victory.

[6 October 2019 04:40 · Alex Pattle]

And in the curtain-raiser for the main card, Yorgan De Castro knocked out Justin Tafa at 2:10 of round 1.

[6 October 2019 04:42 · Alex Pattle]

Dan Hooker and Al Iaquinta are in the Octagon. Here we go...

[6 October 2019 04:43 · Alex Pattle]

Iaquinta circling on the outside to begin.

[6 October 2019 04:44 · Alex Pattle]

Nice outside leg kick by Hooker to the lead leg of Iaquinta.

[6 October 2019 04:44 · Alex Pattle]

Another leg kick from Hooker. Iaquinta goes for a body kick, but his opponent catches.