The UFC’s return to Dublin after nearly five years has a main event, and it’s a big fight for the future of the middleweight division.
Former UFC champ [autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag] will fight for the first time since losing the belt in October when he meets [autotag]Darren Till[/autotag] in the headliner of UFC Dublin, which takes place Aug. 15 from 3Arena. Broadcast plans are still to be determined, but the card is likely to stream on ESPN+.
MMA Junkie verified with a person close to the situation that both sides have agreed to the matchup, but contracts have yet to be signed, as ESPN.com first reported. The person requested anonymity because the UFC has yet to make an official announcement.
Whittaker (20-5 MMA, 11-3 UFC) hasn’t seen action since UFC 243, when he dropped the 185-pound belt to Israel Adesanya. He was scheduled to make a comeback at UFC 248 this month, but a still-unknown personal matter forced him to withdraw from a planned bout against Jared Cannonier. UFC president Dana White said he didn’t know how long Whittaker would be kept out, but apparently he’s ready to get back to work.
Looking to hand the former titleholder his second loss in a row will be Till (18-2-1 MMA, 6-2-1 UFC), the former welterweight title challenger who made a successful middleweight debut at UFC 244 in November when he beat Kelvin Gastelum by split decision. The Brit openly expressed his desire to be the main event in Dublin when the card was announced, and now he gets his wish.
Whittaker vs. Till is the first reported fight booking for UFC Dublin.
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