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

Videos

UFC 234: The Next Level

UFC 234 features a middleweight title fight between champion Robert Whittaker and Kelvin Gastelum. In the co-main event Israel Adesanya faces former middleweight champion Anderson Silva.

UFC 234: Mirror Match

UFC legend and former middleweight champion, Anderson Silva, faces fast-rising prospect, Israel Adesanya, in the co-main event of UFC 234 on February 9.

UFC 234: The Best Rise To The Top

Middleweight champion Robert Whittaker faces Kelvin Gastelum in the main event of UFC 234 on February 9, live on Pay-Per-View.

UFC 234: Idols Become Rivals

Idols become rivals at UFC 234 on February 9th as Israel Adesanya faces former middleweight champion Anderson Silva in the co-main event.

UFC 234 Countdown

UFC 234 Countdown: Whittaker vs Gastelum

Go inside the lives and training camps of middleweight champion Robert Whittaker and title challenger Kelvin Gastelum as they prepare for UFC 234.

Watch the full episode here

UFC 234 Embedded, Episode 1

UFC 234 Embedded Episode 1

On Episode 1 of UFC 234 Embedded, former middleweight champion Anderson Silva puts his skills and personality on display for media members at his LA gym. Middleweight title challenger Kelvin Gastelum prepares nearby in Orange County, surrounded by paintings and his panda. Middleweight champion Robert Whittaker reaps the benefits of a home-country bout, relaxing in his Sydney home with his wife and children. UFC 234 Embedded is an all-access, behind-the-scenes video blog leading up to the world middleweight title fight taking place Saturday, February 9th on Pay-Per-View.

Capturing Gold: Robert Whittaker

Robert Whittaker: Capturing Gold

Go back to the night Robert Whittaker put his name in the record books, as he defeated Yoel Romero at UFC 213 to become a UFC champio.

UFC 234 Embedded, Episode 2

On Episode 2 of UFC 234 Embedded, middleweight title challenger Kelvin Gastelum observes Super Bowl Monday down under before returning to the gym. Aussie light heavyweight Jim Crute shops for clothes, and flyweight Montana De La Rosa enjoys her first trip overseas. Middleweight co-main star Israel Adesanya arrives in Melbourne and tracks opponent Anderson Silva on social media. UFC 234 Embedded is an all-access, behind-the-scenes video blog leading up to the world middleweight title fight taking place Saturday, February 9th on Pay-Per-View.

The Battle To Be The Best

Robert Whittaker and Kelvin Gastelum are battling to see who's the best middleweight in the world. Watch it all go down live at UFC 234 on Saturday.

UFC 234 Embedded Episode 3

UFC 234 Embedded: Episode 3

On Episode 3 of UFC 234 Embedded, former middleweight champion Anderson Silva is awestruck by a painted tribute to his superhero-like skills. Middleweight title challenger Kelvin Gastelum gets his hair cut by some friendly locals. Light heavyweight “Smile’N” Sam Alvey tours the area with his wife and son, living up to his nickname even during a chance run-in with opponent Jimmy Crute. And middleweight Israel Adesanya makes time for young fans before a Melbourne training session. UFC 234 Embedded is an all-access, behind-the-scenes video blog leading up to the world middleweight title fight taking place Saturday, February 9th on Pay-Per-View.

UFC 234 Media Day Faceoffs

The stars of UFC 234 faceoff after media day on Wednesday in Melbourne ahead of UFC 234: Whittaker vs Gastelum this Saturday only on Pay-Per-View.

UFC 234: Adesanya vs Silva - Daniel Cormier Preview

Gastelum: Whitaker Has What I Want

Gastelum: Whittaker Has What I Want

Kelvin Gastelum is going after what he wants: Robert Whittaker's belt. The two will square off in the main event at UFC 234 live on Saturday.

UFC 234: Open Workout Recap

Open Workout Recap

Watch a recap of the UFC 234 open workouts, featuring stars Robert Whittaker, Kelvin Gastelum and more.

UFC 234: Just A Matter Of Time

UFC 234: Just A Matter of Time

The UFC 234 main event title fight between Robert Whittaker and Kelvin Gastelum goes down this Saturday, live on Pay-Per-View.

Forrest Griffin Previews Adesanya vs Silva

UFC 234: Press Conference Faceoffs

Watch Robert Whittaker and Kelvin Gastelum faceoff at the UFC 234 pre-fight press conference.

UFC 234: Press Conference Highlights

UFC 234 Embedded Episode 4

UFC 234 Embedded: Episode 4

On Episode 4 of UFC 234 Embedded, middleweight title challenger Kelvin Gastelum takes in street art before an in-room workout attended by flyweight champion Henry Cejudo. Middleweight champion Robert Whittaker arrives in Melbourne and hosts media at an open gym session. Flyweight Montana De La Rosa trains with teammate and Invicta champion Jinh Yu Frey, as opponent Nadia Kassem talks treadmill vs. street and salad vs. burgers. UFC 234 Embedded is an all-access, behind-the-scenes video blog leading up to the world middleweight title fight taking place Saturday, February 9th on Pay-Per-View.

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 makes his return to the Octagon this Saturday against Israel Adesanya at UFC 234, live on Pay-Per-View.

Anderson Silva's Top 5 Finishes

Whittaker: This Will Be My Toughest Fight

Robert Whittaker admits his upcoming title fight against Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 234 will be his toughest test yet.

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

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

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"

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

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 L

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)