Brad Tavares and Robert Whittaker both entered the Octagon at UFC Fight Night 65: Hunt vs. Miocic in Adelaide, Australia, on Saturday, looking to build some momentum in the middleweight division, but only one could take the next step up the ladder towards title contention.
Tavares bounced back with a win over Nate Marquardt in his last bout, ending a two-fight skid. Whittaker, a former Ultimate Fighter winner in the welterweight division, meanwhile, made his successful 185-pound debut with a win over Clint Hester in his most recent bout.
Although both men had high hopes, Whittaker dashed Tavares’ early in Adelaide.