Everything You Need to Know About UFC 234

Learn about the athletes of UFC 234, their fights and how to watch the action taking place in Melbourne.

Feb. 4, 2019

Order UFC 234 here!

Subscribe to ESPN+

Videos

UFC 234: The Next Level

UFC 234: Mirror Match

UFC 234: The Best Rise To The Top

UFC 234: Idols Become Rivals

UFC 234 Countdown

Watch the full episode here

UFC 234 Embedded, Episode 1

UFC 234 Embedded Episode 1

Capturing Gold: Robert Whittaker

Robert Whittaker: Capturing Gold

UFC 234 Embedded, Episode 2

The Battle To Be The Best

UFC 234 Embedded Episode 3

UFC 234 Embedded: Episode 3

UFC 234 Media Day Faceoffs

UFC 234: Adesanya vs Silva - Daniel Cormier Preview

Gastelum: Whitaker Has What I Want

Gastelum: Whittaker Has What I Want

UFC 234: Open Workout Recap

Open Workout Recap

UFC 234: Just A Matter Of Time

UFC 234: Just A Matter of Time

Forrest Griffin Previews Adesanya vs Silva

UFC 234: Press Conference Faceoffs

UFC 234: Press Conference Highlights

UFC 234 Embedded Episode 4

UFC 234 Embedded: Episode 4

Adesanya: This Will Be A Historic Moment For MMA

Silva: This Fight Is Special For Me

Silva: This Fight is Special For Me

Anderson Silva's Top 5 Finishes

Whittaker: This Will Be My Toughest Fight

Training Day: Israel Adesanya

Articles

On the Rise: UFC 234 Edition

By E. Spencer Kyte

Here’s a look at three such fighters to keep an eye on this weekend. This is the UFC 234 edition of On the Rise. (Read more)

Yahya Fighting For Recognition

By E. Spencer Kyte

Riding a 3-fight winning streak, Rani Yahya is excited to take another step forward at UFC 234. (Read more)

Sold out UFC 234

Press Release

The pay per view in Melbourne is already breaking records. (Read more)

Alvey Says He'll Never Lose Again

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - AUGUST 05: Sam Alvey celebrates his victory over Rashad Evans in their middleweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at Arena Ciudad de Mexico on August 5, 2017 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

By E. Spencer Kyte

"I’m never losing again. I’ve done it, losing sucks and I don’t think I want to do it again, so I just won’t.” (Read more)

UFC 234: Fight by Fight

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 03: (L-R) Israel Adesanya of Nigeria kicks Derek Brunson in their middleweight bout during the UFC 230 event inside Madison Square Garden on November 3, 2018 in New York, New York. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

By Damon Martin

Take a deep dive into UFC 234 with this edition of Fight by Fight. (Read more)

Adesanya's Confidence Comes From Within

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 03: Israel Adesanya of Nigeria celebrates his TKO victory over Derek Brunson in their middleweight bout during the UFC 230 event inside Madison Square Garden on November 3, 2018 in New York, New York. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

By Thomas Gerbasi

Going from UFC debutant to contender in the span of a year, Israel Adesanya has rolled through every opponent in the Octagon en route to his co-main event at UFC 234. (Read more)

Gastelum: "I'm here to demolish Rob."

$UNIONDALE, NY - JULY 22: Kelvin Gastelum stands in his corner prior to facing \cw\ in their middleweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event inside the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on July 22, 2017 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)$

By Steve Latrell

Find out what middleweight title contender Kelvin Gastelum thinks about UFC 234 opponent Robert Whittaker. (Read more)

UFC 234 IS WHITTAKER’S CHANCE TO ACCOMPLISH A DREAM

KANSAS CITY, MO - APRIL 15: (L-R) Robert Whittaker of New Zealand punches Jacare Souza of Brazil in their middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Sprint Center on April 15, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

By Steve Latrell and Gavin Porter

Defending his belt in Australia is the opportunity of a lifetime for the middleweight champ. (Read more)

AUSSIE'S SHOW-OUT AT OPEN WORKOUTS

By Steve Latrell

The Australian fans packed the UFC 234 open workouts to support their hometown fighters and more. (Read more)

SMITH TO DO WHAT HE DOES BEST: WIN

By Thomas Gerbasi

"At the end of the day, it’s a fight and the only thing I have to do is do what I do best and that’s win and go to the next stage.” (Read more)

ALL SILVA NEEDS IS A CHANCE

Anderson Silva

By Thomas Gerbasi

Anderson Silva returns to the Octagon for the first time in two years, and he believes he has what it takes to earn another shot at the belt that was once his. (Read more)

CRUTE ENJOYS TAKING ADVENTUROUS ROUTE

By Philip Ferraro

“My first professional fight was against a guy who had 20 pro MMA fights. I’ve never taken the easy route, I’ve always pushed to fight the best, and that’s how I make my name, taking on anyone, anywhere.” (Read more)

KARA-FRANCE: "I'M NOT JUST TRYING TO WIN"

kai kara-france

By Steve Latrell

"Every time I fight now, I’m not just trying to win, I’m trying to be exciting, trying to get a finish, trying to educate people as to why flyweights should be in the UFC." (Read more)

GASTELUM CLOSE TO HIS ULTIMATE GOAL

By Thomas Gerbasi

“Since the beginning of my career, when I started thinking about fighting professionally, the goal was always to be champion,” Gastelum said. (Read more)

UFC 234 PRESS CONFERENCE RECAP

By Steve Latrell

Trading mutual respect more than insults, the UFC 234 pre-fight press conference still carried plenty of intrigue. (Read more)

SIMON LOOKING TO PUT RESPECT ON HIS NAME

LAS VEGAS, NV - AUGUST 08: Ricky Simon walks back to his corner after his bantamweight bout with Donavon Frelow during Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series at the TUF Gym on August 8, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/DWTNCS)

By Thomas Gerbasi

“This is a big one,” Simon said. “My last two fights were against tough prospects, so I think with a win over Rani, it’s gonna get me ranked and I’m finally gonna start getting a little more respect on my name.” (Read more)

ADESANYA ISN'T WORRIED ABOUT THE SPIDER'S BITE

GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 14: (R-L) Israel Adesanya of Nigeria punches Marvin Vettori of Italy in their middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at the Gila Rivera Arena on April 14, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

By Steve Latrell

Israel Adesanya is ready to take the torch from Anderson Silva. (Read more)

VANNATA WANTS TO TAKE HIS OPPONENT'S SOUL

By E. Spencer Kyte

Lando Vannata has had a wild ride in the Octagon so far, but he hopes his next venture inside the cage results in a victory. (Read more)

DE LA ROSA IS PRIMED TO CLIMB THE RANKINGS

UFC flyweight Montana De La Rosa ahead of her fight at UFC 234 in Melbourne, Australia. (Juan Cardenas/UFC)

By Steve Latrell

Montana De La Rosa wants to springboard her way up the flyweight division, starting with a win at UFC 234. (Read more)

KASSEM IS READY TO GET BACK TO BUSINESS

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 19: (R-L) Nadia Kassem punches Alex Chambers of Australia in their women's strawweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event inside the Qudos Bank Arena on November 19, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

By Steve Latrell

After getting sidelined for more than a year, Nadia Kassem is eager to get back into the Octagon. (Read more)

TURNER ISN'T FEELING ANY PRESSURE

By Thomas Gerbasi

After dropping his short-notice debut, Jalin Turner is excited to show what he can do in what he feels is his real "debut." (Read more)

WHITTAKER EXPECTS AN EXPLOSIVE FIGHT

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JUNE 09: Robert Whittaker of New Zealand celebrates after defeating Yoel Romero of Cuba by split decision in their middleweight fight during the UFC 225 event at the United Center on June 9, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

By Thomas Gerbasi

Robert Whittaker is eager to defend his belt in his home country, and he says he had a gut feeling he'd be fighting Kevin Gastelum at some point. (Read more)