Kiwi fighters Mark Hunt and Robert Whittaker are set to fight in front of the biggest crowd in UFC history, with Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium confirmed as the venue for UFC 193 in November.
The UFC is hoping for a crowd of 70,000 fans, which would shatter promotion’s current record set back in 2011, when nearly 56,000 fans packed into the Rogers Centre in Toronto.
Hunt has been locked in to fight in the co-main event, where he faces a rematch with Antonio 'Bigfoot' Silva.
The pair famously met in Brisbane back in 2013, where they battled to a draw over five rounds in what is widely remembered as the greatest heavyweight fight in UFC history.
Whittaker faces the toughest test of his UFC career, as he steps up to fight perennial contender Michael 'The Count' Bisping.
Coming off an impressive first-round knockout of Brad Tavares, a win over Bisping would likely propel the New Zealand-born middleweight into the division's top 10.
The event will be headlined by a previously announced welterweight title fight between champion Robbie Lawler and Carlos Condit.
"Finally the UFC is coming to Melbourne in what will be the biggest UFC event ever!" UFC president Dana White said.
"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.
"We are also bringing the rematch of the greatest heavyweight fight I have ever seen between New Zealand legend Mark Hunt and Bigfoot Silva. November 15 is going to be insane!"
Other fights confirmed on the card are:
Jake 'The Celtic Kid' Matthews vs. Akbarh 'El Caballero'
Kyle 'KO' Noke vs. Peter Sobotta
Anthony 'The Hippo' Perosh vs. Gian Villante
Daniel Kelly vs. Ricardo Abreu
Richard 'Filthy Rich' Walsh vs. Steve Kennedy
Additional fights are set to be announced in the coming weeks.
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