UFC Fight Night 121 in Sydney is officially over and dusted, but it is not long before the Octagon returns to Australia for the recently announced Perth event.
Recently crowned, Georges St-Pierre’s second fight back in the promotion is expected to be a middleweight title unification bout at UFC 221 against the Australian Robert Whittaker, who currently holds the interim 185lbs title.
Before UFC 217, UFC president Dana White was adamant the victory of the contest would defend the middleweight belt against Robert Whittaker and hinted their fight could headline UFC 221, which takes place in Australia on February 11.
The UFC’s Vice President of International Content Dave Shaw, speaking to media after the Sydney event, UFC 221 will be a blockbuster event.
“We want to blow it out of the water and make it a very significant event and make a real impact, not only for Western Australians but for Australian fans all over the country”
St-Pierre (GSP) who submitted Michael Bisping via third-round rear-naked choke earlier this month at UFC 217 has repeatedly cast doubt over his future in the middleweight division, in fact, which has led many to believe he will return to the welterweight class.
No main event has been announced on the card as per UFC Shaw:
“No news yet,” Shaw told MMAjunkie after UFC Fight Night 121. “I think, as you guys know, the X factor right now is how Georges is doing.”
UFC brass keens to have Robert Whittaker headline their second pay-per-view card of 2018.
“Listen, bottom line is that we want to have Robbie fight in Perth.
“The stars are sort of aligning for that event, having a pay-per-view there.
“It’s probably going to come down to Georges.
“Three months for anybody is a quick turnaround, so if we can line up that fight, that’d be amazing. But there’s no real update at this point.”
Georges St-Pierre, who used to be the welterweight champion, defended the belt nine times in a championship reign that went for six years.
Robert Whittaker, 26, hasn’t fought since claiming the interim middleweight title at UFC 213, scored a unanimous decision victory over Yoel Romero.
Shaw further said:
“We love coming to Sydney, Melbourne’s always a great destination, we haven’t been to Brisbane or the Gold Coast for a while. We haven’t been to Adelaide in two or three years, so there are a few options for us.
“Definitely two events next year and we are looking forward to coming back.”
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