Whittaker returns home to face Guskov in UFC Sydney co-main event on Feb. 6

Robert Whittaker will make his long-awaited return to Australian soil when he faces Bogdan Guskov in the co-main event of UFC Sydney on February 6 at Afterpay Arena. It is the former middleweight champion’s first fight in his home country since Israel Adesanya dethroned him at UFC 243 in 2019, and his first appearance in Sydney since 2014.

Whittaker (27-9) moved up to light heavyweight this past July at UFC 329, stopping veteran Nikita Krylov by third-round knockout to end a two-fight losing streak. Now ranked No. 12 in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings at 205 pounds, the 35-year-old is targeting one final title run to close out a career that already includes a UFC middleweight championship reign.

Guskov (18-4-1) arrives in Sydney looking to recover from a damaging setback. The fighter known as “Hitman” stepped in on short notice at UFC Abu Dhabi in July to replace Khalil Rountree Jr. against Magomed Ankalaev, a bout that ended with Ankalaev stopping him in the fifth round in a largely one-sided contest. The Sydney card gives Guskov a chance to rebuild his ranking position against one of the division’s most recognisable names.

The main event of UFC Sydney features undefeated Australian lightweight Quillan Salkilld, who looks to extend his perfect record to 7-0 inside the octagon against fellow contender Benoit Saint Denis.