The UFC heads to Australia on Saturday for a pay-per-view card that should add clarity to the future of the middleweight division. The main event features the now undisputed champion, Robert Whittaker, against new challenger Kelvin Gastelum in a bout which looks fascinating on paper.
The co-main event brings back long-time GOAT candidate Anderson Silva in a strange new role as middleweight gatekeeper against rising phenom Israel Adesanya. While Silva is the biggest underdog on the card (a first for the former champion), the statistical matchup suggests two of the sharpest strikers in the division's history fueling what could be a fan-friendly, nearly super-hero like duel of fisticuffs and matrix-like dodges.
Currently Whittaker and Adesanya are the clear betting favorites. Is there upset potential in either matchup? Could Gastelum shake up the division, or could Silva add a miracle ending to his storied career? Otherwise, Whittaker could solidify his reign and open up the challenger queue, while Adesanya could win his way to the top of that contender list.