Israel Adesanya's proposed UFC middleweight title fight against Australian Robert Whittaker may be moved to Las Vegas.
The Auckland-based mixed martial artist set up the Australasian showdown with a stunning decision win over American Kelvin Gastelum in April.
That victory secured 'The Last Stylebender' an interim middleweight title and a future fight with champion Whittaker.
UFC president Dana White wanted the fight to be in Australia this October, billing it as the biggest fight in Australasian combat-sports history.
But Newshub understands the UFC is now considering a switch to Las Vegas, if the New South Wales state government doesn't front up with a hosting fee.
While there is a potential clash with the NRL Grand Final on October 6 - the rumoured date for the fight - Newshub understands the UFC 's main focus is appeasing the United States pay-per-view audience.
It is not that concerned with the clash of codes in the Australian market.
Adesanya and Whittaker have apparently been told to prepare for an October fight, but haven't been given a location yet.
Whittaker's agent told The Daily Telegraph the October date was now "extremely likely", as was the move to Las Vegas.
Adesanya has had a rapid rise to global sports stardom, since his Octagon debut in February 2018.
The City Kickboxing fighter has a perfect 6-0 record, including wins over Gastelum, Derek Brunson and UFC legend Anderson Silva.
Newshub.
