A middleweight bout between Robert Whittaker and Derek Brunson has been added to UFC Melbourne. The official UFC Australia/New Zealand Twitter account announced the news moments ago.
BREAKING: Middleweights @RJWhittaker1990 vs. @DerekBrunson added to #UFCMelbourne! pic.twitter.com/AeyVnCrw3P
— UFC Aus/New Zealand (@UFC_AUSNZ) September 22, 2016
Whittaker (16-4 MMA, 7-2 UFC) won his first two UFC bouts, defeating Brad Scott and Colton Smith, before losing to Court McGee. Following the loss Whittaker faced Stephen Thompson, and was finished in the first round. The New Zealand native then face Mike Rhodes, and won the fight via decision. Following finishes over Clint Hester and Brad Tavares, Whittaker faced Uriah Hall at UFC 193, Whittaker won the fight via decision. In his most recent outing, the 25-year-old defeated Rafael Natal via unanimous decision.
Brunson (16-3 MMA, 7-1 UFC) went 2-0 in the UFC with a decision victory over Chris Leben and a submission victory over Brian Houston before being stopped by Yoel Romero at UFC Fight Night 35. Following the loss, Brunson took a decision over Lorenz Larkin before stopping Ed Herman in under one minute at UFC 183. Brunson picked up another first round stoppage at UFC Fight Night 73, stoppage Sam Alvey in just over two minutes. Brunson stopped Roan Carneiro in the first round at UFC Pittsburgh before earning his fourth successive first round stoppage at UFC Hidalgo against Uriah Hall.
UFC Fight Night 101 takes place live from the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia on Nov. 27. The card is set to be headlined by a rematch between top middleweight contenders Luke Rockhold and Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza.
