UFC News: Dana White confirms UFC 193 venue, adds Robert Whittaker vs Michael Bisping fight card

Michael Bisping has been confirmed to fight Robert Whittaker in Melbourne at UFC 193, which is headlined by a welterweight title bout between Robbie Lawler and Carlos Condit. UFC officials confirmed that the mixed martial art event will take place in Australia’s Etihad Stadium.

UFC president Dana White revealed on social media platform Twitter that Etihad Stadium will host “the biggest UFC event ever” on Nov. 14, which marks the company’s first event in Melbourne. The stadium that plays host to the Australian Football League has a capacity of nearly 55,000, and will feature Australia’s first MMA championship bout.

"There's been a lot of talk about Melbourne, title fights and stadium shows. The UFC is doing all three at the Etihad Stadium in front of 70,000 people,” UFC president Dana White said, reports ESPN.

Bisping, who has a UFC record of 17 wins and 7 losses, fought three previous times in Australia, suffering losses against Luke Rockhold and Wanderlei silva, and defeating Jorge Rivera. The 36-year-old Bisping took a split decision over Thales Leites in the main event of UFC Fight Night 72 on Jul. 18.

Meanwhile, Whittaker, who carries a UFC record of 5 wins and 2 losses, is coming off a three-fight winning streak, knocking out his opponents from two of his most recent matches. The Australian fighter grabbed the biggest win of his career in May at UFC Fight Night 65 when he defeated Brad Taveres in a swift fashion, knocking American fighter in just 44 seconds.

A rematch between Kiwi fighter Mark Hunt and Brazilian giant Antonio Silva will has also been confirmed as co-main event in Melbourne, reports MMA Junkie. Both fighters, who have showcased one of the bloodiest fights in UFC, will once again go head-to-head in an MMA slugfest.

UFC also confirmed on Thursday a list of undercards that includes a string of Aussie fighters, although more updates and additional fight cards will still be announced in the coming weeks.

Confirmed fights for UFC 193 Melbourne courtesy of Fox Sports:

• Robbie Lawler (26-10-0 1 NC) v Carlos Condit (30-8-0) (UFC welterweight championship)
• Mark Hunt (10-9-1) v Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva (19-7-0 1 NC) (heavyweight)
• Robert Whittaker (14-4-0) v Michael Bisping (28-7-0) (middleweight)
• Jake Matthews (9-1-0) v Akbarh Arreola (23-9-1) (lightweight)
• Kyle Noke (20-7-1) v Peter Sobotta (15-4-1) (welterweight)
• Anthony Perosh (15-9-0) v Gian Villante (13-5-0) (light-heavyweight)
• Daniel Kelly (9-1-0) v Ricardo Abreu (5-2-0) (middleweight)
• Richard Walsh (8-4-0) v Steve Kennedy (22-7-0) (welterweight)

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