UFC 193 confirmed for Melbourne's Docklands/Etihad Stadium; two more fights announced

[toe hold]

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/ufc-to-bring-cage-fighting-to-etihad-stadium-20150819-gj33yx.html
http://www.etihadstadium.com.au/

SIR

Honestly surprised they will have this event here instead of Rod Laver Arena. This is a BIG venue.

In addition to Bigfoot/Hunt rematch, I would think that the UFC will almost certainly add the rumored JDS/AO and Bisping/Whittaker fights to the card.


Two prelim types also confirmed

Jake Matthews vs. Akbarh Arreola
Daniel Kelly vs. Ricardo Abreu

 

[chillyoo]

I just don't understand the Bisping fight, I get the appeal to the local. But at this point in his career it's not a fight that's going to do much for him if he wins. Not to mention Whittaker is dangerous!!! Bad move Bisping

 

[A Pennysworth]

Was hoping CM Punk would be on this card .

 

[Danespina]

I just don't understand the Bisping fight, I get the appeal to the local. But at this point in his career it's not a fight that's going to do much for him if he wins. Not to mention Whittaker is dangerous!!! Bad move Bisping

If Bisping wins I could see him finally getting the Anderson Silva bout he's wanted.

 

[trblesome1]

So we got

Lawler vs Condit
Bisping vs Whittaker
Hunt vs BigFoot

Looking like a solid card so far with another decent fight or 2

Also this is in a stadium that holds 56k people, has UFC ever had that big of a crowd?

 

[toe hold]

So we got

Lawler vs Condit
Bisping vs Whittaker (not confirmed)
Hunt vs BigFoot
Matthews vs. Arreola
Kelly vs. Abreu

Looking like a solid card so far with another decent fight or 2

Also this is in a stadium that holds 56k people, has UFC ever had that big of a crowd?

UFC 129 was in Toronto at the Rogers Centre, a similiar sized venue.

 

[Bowerman]

I have no idea how we got so damn lucky

 

[trblesome1]

UFC 129 was in Toronto at the Rogers Centre, a similiar sized venue.

Yeah man I didn't add the prelim fights because honestly I have no idea who those guys even are

 

[MacDougall]

Hmm Etihad... I didn't think they'd do Etihad without two title fights. Maybe they're going to announce Rousey vs. Tate for it?

 

[cheese32165]

So this event will be the UFC attendance record ?

 

[hogwash]

would love to see Whitaker ko Bisping

 

[Bowerman]

So this event will be the UFC attendance record ?

It will sell out guaranteed. Etihad sells out every major sporting event that goes there in Melbourne. Doesn't matter what it is.

Some regular season AFL matches get 90,000+at a nearby stadium.

 

[toe hold]

So this event will be the UFC attendance record ?

Depending on the seating arrangement and it actually sells out, it could be very close to UFC 129. Venue can accommodate between 51,000 - 74,000 people.

UFC 129 was credited with an attendance of 55,724 and a $12,000,000 gate.

 

[MacDougall]

 

[JTJ89]

hopefully whittaker ko's bisping

 

[Malthian]

Hmm Etihad... I didn't think they'd do Etihad without two title fights. Maybe they're going to announce Rousey vs. Tate for it?

Yah, I was just wondering about that. 56K is a lot of seats to fill, especially if you don't want to be giving out $5 nosebleed seats.

I think the UFC pretty much has to put one of the heavy hitters on the card. With Conor, Anderson, GSP, Cain/Werdum and Jon Jones all unavailable or booked that pretty much leaves Rousey.

I can definitely see the UFC headlining with Rousey. Rousey headlining a 55K+ stadium is going to draw even more media attention to the already ridiculous levels of media attention that Rousey draws.

 

[Goodfella86]

I just don't understand the Bisping fight, I get the appeal to the local. But at this point in his career it's not a fight that's going to do much for him if he wins. Not to mention Whittaker is dangerous!!! Bad move Bisping

I agree with everything here.

 

[Juventud]

Went to 110 & 127 in Sydney but i can't afford to do Melbourne.

Melb is my home town and a great sports city. If they promote it really strong they could sell out the Etihad.
Best fights Australia has had since Cain/Big Nog.

 

[Goatenstein]

40000 comp tickets will be handed out

 

[toe hold]

Ideal PPV card if they don't throw Rousey (Tate 3 or Cyborg) on here.

WW title bout: Robbie Lawler vs. Carlos Condit
Co-main HW bout: JDS vs. Overeem

any order of
MW bout: Michael Bisping vs. Robert Whittaker
HW bout: Antonio Silva vs. Mark Hunt
LHW bout: Jackson vs. Rua?

mid-low tier Aussie/NZL/English fighters Matthews, Kelly, Noke, O'Reilly, Scott, Entwislte, Te-Huna, Vaculik, Nguyen, etc. dispersed through.