Controversial American Sean Strickland rumoured for UFC’s return to Sydney in February, Alex Volkanovski also eyes top billing
UFC is heading back to Australia, with Sydney booked for next February, but controversy could follow the event with the possible return of Sean Strickland. And the NSW Premier would rather an Australian hero to take the championship fight.
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The UFC is heading back to Australia, with a pay-per-view event to be held in Sydney on Sunday February 9 next year, in a fight that could potentially bring one of the most controversial fighters back to the harbour city.
Controversial American fighter Sean Strickland is among the top possibilities to be on the Sydney fight card, with middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis strongly rumoured to be the headline act.
Strickland caused headlines last year when he punched a punter in the stomach at Bondi before causing a massive boilover by beating Israel Adesanya.
While a title shot for the controversial former champion is imminent, NSW Premier Chris Minns would rather middleweight contender Robert Whittaker get the championship fight in Sydney.
“I’ll leave the ticket up to the UFC,” Premier Minns said.
“We love to see Australian boys, Sydney boys in particular.
“Robert has a fight (next) weekend, we hope he gets over the line.”
UFC president Dana White is adamant Strickland will get the next middleweight title fight after dropping a controversial decision to du Plessis in January.
However the Aussie icon Whittaker could disrupt those plans with a convincing win over Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308 next weekend though.
“If Rob beats Khamzat, it’s undeniable – he’s gonna get the shot,” Whittaker’s manager Titus Day told this masthead. “It’s a fast turnaround, but for the belt, we’ll do it.
“Dricus has fought in Australia, and there’s plenty of South Africans here. Whether he’d come to Rob’s own backyard, I don’t know, but if the UFC gives him that option, we hope it will happen.
“He has a lot of respect for Rob. He believes he deserves a shot, and he looked up to Rob when he was coming up in his career.”
Alex Volkanovski is also eyeing off top billing at the PPV blockbuster.
The former featherweight champion and pound for pound No. 1 said on Thursday morning he plans on fighting the winner of Max Holloway and Illia Tuporia, fighting next weekend.
“It’s definitely a date that fits my plans coming back,” Volkanovski told this masthead.
“I want to reclaim my title here in Sydney.”
Volk’s two former opponents, Topuria and Holloway fight for the featherweight title at next week’s UFC 308 event in Abu Dhabi.
Volkanovski will be in attendance for the high stakes showdown, and is adamant on facing the winner in his home town.
Volkanovski owns three wins over Holloway, but was knocked out in stunning fashion at UFC 298 in Anaheim in January.
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Originally published as Controversial American Sean Strickland rumoured for UFC’s return to Sydney in February, Alex Volkanovski also eyes top billing
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