Main card
Middleweight: Robert Whittaker def. Derek Brunson via TKO (head kick & punches) 4:07, R1
Lightweight: Andrew Holbrook def. Jake Matthews via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Welterweight: Omari Akhmedov def. Kyle Noke via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Lightweight: Alexander Volkanovski def. Yusuke Kasuya via TKO (ground & pound) 2:06, R2
Light Heavyweight: Tyson Pedro def. Khalil Rountree via submission (rear-naked choke) 4:07, R1
Women’s Strawweight: Danielle Taylor def. Seohee Ham via split decision (30-27, 28-29 30-27)
Prelims
Middleweight: Daniel Kelly def. Chris Camozzi via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 30-27)
Lightweight: Damien Brown def. Jon Tuck via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Welterweight: Jonathon Meunier def. Richard Walsh via (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Flyweight: Ben Nguyen def. Geane Herrera via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-27)
Early prelims
Featherweight: Jason Knight def. Dan Hooker via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-26)
Featherweight: Marlon Vera def. Ning Guangyou via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Flyweight: Jenel Lausa def. Yai Zhikui via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
#7 Robert Whittaker will be looking to get closer to a shot at middleweight gold when he takes on #8 Derek Brunson. Join The Roar from 2pm AEDT for round-by-round action live from Rod Laver Arena.
Riding a five-fight winning streak, Robert Whittaker is quickly becoming Australia’s best hope at owning a UFC champion.
Whittaker is coming off a dominant decision win over Rafael Natal at UFC 197, however his finest moment may have come at UFC 193 in Melbourne, where he defeated Uriah Hall in front of more than 50,000 home fans.
Now Whittaker has the chance to do it again in Victoria, against an even tougher opponent.
In 2012, Robert Whittaker won the Ultimate Fighter Smashes tournament at the Gold Coast, and after an inconsistent few years at the beginning of his UFC stint, the Australian does not want to let his recent incredible form slip.
Derek Brunson is on an absolute tear. The American is also riding a five-fight win streak, however Brunson’s last four wins have come via first-round knockouts.
None however, were finer than his last first-round TKO, which came over Uriah Hall in a result that no one could have picked.
Brunson has been in the UFC since 2012, and his one loss inside the octagon came via title-contender Yoel Romero in what was deemed the ‘fight of the night’.
The American has been vocal in his pursuit of a title shot for a while, however he has never gotten his close.
Prediction
Both men are in form, and coming off incredible performances. Brunson has knockout power, but tends to slow down in the later rounds. If Whittaker can drag him into deep water, he should get the win.
Robert Whittaker to defeat Derek Brunson via unanimous decision
Join The Roar from 2pm AEDT for round-by-round action live from Rod Laver Arena.
Riordan Lee
Editor
How good! Patrick Effeney and I got to have a training session with Rob once - lovely guy, great to see him making waves.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Thank you to everyone who joined The Roar for this live blog! Be sure to head to The Roar's Facebook page for a live showing of the post-fight press conference!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Main card Middleweight: Robert Whittaker def. Derek Brunson via TKO (head kick & punches) 4:07, R1 Lightweight: Andrew Holbrook def. Jake Matthews via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) Welterweight: Omari Akhmedov def. Kyle Noke via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) Lightweight: Alexander Volkanovski def. Yusuke Kasuya via TKO (ground & pound) 2:06, R2 Light Heavyweight: Tyson Pedro def. Khalil Rountree via submission (rear-naked choke) 4:07, R1 Women’s Strawweight: Danielle Taylor def. Seohee Ham via split decision (30-27, 28-29 30-27) Prelims Middleweight: Daniel Kelly def. Chris Camozzi via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 30-27) Lightweight: Damien Brown def. Jon Tuck via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) Welterweight: Jonathon Meunier def. Richard Walsh via (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) Flyweight: Ben Nguyen def. Geane Herrera via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-27) Early prelims Featherweight: Jason Knight def. Dan Hooker via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-26) Featherweight: Marlon Vera def. Ning Guangyou via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Flyweight: Jenel Lausa def. Yai Zhikui via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Here are the full results from this event:
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
One of the greatest fights I have ever seen, the reaction inside Rod Laver gave me goosebumps.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
THE OFFICIAL DECISION: Robert Whittaker def. Derek Brunson via TKO (head kick & punches) 4:07, R1
Gavin
Guest
Awesome fight! Whittaker withstood everything and landed his punches. Once he had him rocked, he was so composed and picked his punches. He's gotta be in talks of a top 3 contender.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
The crowd just exploded at Rod Laver, the roof may have literally been lifted for a moment! Robert Whittaker gets it done in one of the wildest, craziest fights I have ever seen!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
#7 Robert Whittaker vs Derek Brunson – ROUND 1/5 They touch gloves to get round one underway. Brunson takes the middle of the cage to start off with and rushes forward with punches. Brunson looks for a takedown and Whittaker does well to defend and lands a good shot on the break. Brunson pushes forward again with punches and lands some good ones. Whittaker lands a hard right and Brunson looks for the single leg. Brunson starts throwing bombs looking the finish and Whittaker responds with some of his own. This is a wild fight! Brunson throws some more bombs and Whittaker is cut and forced to cover up. Whittaker circles away as Brunson looks for the takedown. Whittaker stuffs the shot. Brunson tries again and gets it, but only for a second, as Whittaker gets back up to his feet. Brunson is throwing some wild shots but Whittaker catches him on the counter and Brunson is hurt! Whittaker throws a head kick and Brunson goes down! Whittaker throws more shots on top and this one is over! ROBERT WHITTAKER HAS DONE IT!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Here comes Robert Whittaker!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Here comes Derek Brunson!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
The American has been vocal in his pursuit of a title shot for a while, however he has never gotten his close.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Brunson has been in the UFC since 2012, and his one loss inside the octagon came via title-contender Yoel Romero in what was deemed the ‘fight of the night’.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
None however, were finer than his last first-round TKO, which came over Uriah Hall in a result that no one could have picked.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Derek Brunson is on an absolute tear. The American is also riding a five-fight win streak, however Brunson’s last four wins have come via first-round knockouts.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
In 2012, Robert Whittaker won the Ultimate Fighter Smashes tournament at the Gold Coast, and after an inconsistent few years at the beginning of his UFC stint, the Australian does not want to let his recent incredible form slip.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Now Whittaker has the chance to do it again in Victoria, against an even tougher opponent.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Whittaker is coming off a dominant decision win over Rafael Natal at UFC 197, however his finest moment may have come at UFC 193 in Melbourne, where he defeated Uriah Hall in front of more than 50,000 home fans.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Riding a five-fight winning streak, Robert Whittaker is quickly becoming Australia’s best hope at owning a UFC champion.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Five rounds in the UFC middleweight divison, as #7 Robert Whittaker takes on #8 Derek Brunson!