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Australia has become a premier destination for hosting some of the most electrifying combat sports events in recent years. The Land Down Under has become a staple on the UFC’s yearly calendar and the Octagon returned in February as Sean Strickland attempted to dethrone Dricus Du Plessis as Middleweight Champion in Sydney. Elsewhere, boxing has headed to the country a whole host of times in recent years, while WWE even put on a Premium Live Event there for the first time ever in February last year.

So, with more and more huge bouts heading down under in recent years, which fighters are the planet’s biggest names aiming to walk in the footsteps of? Here are the biggest clashes ever to be hosted in Australia.

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On April 8th, at UFC 287 inside Miami’s Kaseya Center, former Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya embarked on his toughest challenge yet. He faced off against nemesis Alex Pereira, a man that has beaten him three times in the past. ‘Poatan’ twice defeated The Last Stylebender in the kickboxing world, before defeating him once again the first time the pair faced off in the Octagon, taking the Nigerian-born Kiwi’s title in the process, as well as ending his undefeated streak in the middleweight division. Oddschecker, which compares combat sports odds and offers, couldn’t split the pair heading into the bout, but it was Adesanya who asserted his dominance for the first time in the duo’s epic rivalry.

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Nate Diaz became one of the most recognizable UFC figures throughout the last couple of years. His bouts with Connor McGregor are considered to be one of the most vicious fights in martial arts’ entire history.

With his contract coming to an end, he was scheduled to come up against Khamzat Chimaev for UFC 279 in a welterweight battle. Unfortunately, his opponent didn’t make the weigh-in and the organization was forced to mix up its options.

Diaz would eventually be included in the main event fighting against former interim UFC Lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson.

However, this last-minute change in the schedule might not be a precise representation of the current situation as both fighters have prepared for a battle against a totally different opponent.

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The Prequel

Nate Diaz 1, Conor McGregor 0. After a brutal second round and eventual rear-naked choke by Nate Diaz, McGregor had received his first ever UFC loss. This fight at welterweight was Conor’s first in this weight class. His breathing rapidly got more intense as the first round ended. This main event was the complete opposite of what all watchers expected and what McGregor had trained so hard for. 

It was clear that these two had to be in the cage together again. They brought so much publicity and so much ferocity that made it one hell of a rivalry. McGregor had things to take away from the fight and so did Diaz. McGregor needed to hold on to the weight to stay at 170 but he also needed to heavily improve his cardio. He needed to be able to last 25 minutes with Diaz. Meanwhile, Diaz needed to prepare better for McGregor’s strikes. Diaz left the first round with a face full of blood and was in a world of danger until he struck Conor down and eventually choked him. Diaz betters at the best online casino cashed in on the +340 odds for him to win. 

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As MMA’s old guard lay down their shields and move on to new pastures, the UFC looks set to go through a transitionary period in the coming years. Indeed, with established stars fading, there’s room in the spotlight for emerging talent. Evidence that this is the case came courtesy of UFC 256. In the wake of Yoel Romero’s surprise departure from the organization, three battle-worn warriors showed their scars on December 12 at the Apex in Las Vegas.

Kevin Holland secures win number 5️⃣ of 2020! 🤯

✅ May 16 Anthony Hernandez
✅ Aug. 8 Joaquin Buckley
✅ Sept. 19 Darren Stewart
✅ Oct. 31 Charlie Ontiveros
✅ Dec. 12 Jacare Souza

Take a bow, @Trailblaze2top 👏#UFC256 pic.twitter.com/2cCMfJsysf

— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) December 13, 2020

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