Las Vegas: Mark it down. June 10, a landmark day for combat sports in Australia.
Jeff Horn will defend his World Boxing Organisation welterweight crown against American contender Terence Crawford at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday (AEST).
Back in the octagon: Robert Whittaker will fight on Sunday (AEST).
Photo: AAP
While Horn might be getting all the headlines, a different bout in Chicago proves the land down under is slowly emerging as a genuine powerhouse in the fighting world.
That "different bout" is headlined by a brickie-turned-mixed martial arts superstar named Robert Whittaker, the UFC middleweight champion fighting Yoel Romero at UFC 225 in Chicago.
The event has been dubbed the "Aussie takeover" – not only will Whittaker headline the show in what was supposed to be a title defence before Romero missed weight, another pair of Australian stars will step into the octagon and continue their charge towards championship gold.
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Ranked heavyweight Tai Tuivasa (9-0) is surging up the UFC rankings and sits at #12 heading into his bout with the division's gatekeeper, Andrei Arlovski (27-15).
Featherweight contender Megan Anderson (8-2) will look to put herself in the frame for a title shot when she steps into the cage with former champion and current No. 1 contender Holly Holm (11-4).
While he is not on the card, #14 ranked light heavyweight prospect Tyson Pedro (7-1) is further proof the Australian contingent is making serious waves in the UFC.
For some time there was a feeling Australians had to leave home to "make it" in MMA.
But the man many believe is the next Australian in line to crack the UFC is planning to do it out of his own backyard in Canberra.
Heavyweight Ben Edwards (2-0) fell short in his bid to crack The Ultimate Fighter 28 but the 34-year-old is determined to keep banging down the door until they have no choice but to table a contract.
He spent a week in Las Vegas training with the likes of Ray Sefo and paid a few visits to the gym of UFC legend Randy Couture in his bid to become the complete mixed martial artist.
Mixed martial arts fighter Ben Edwards. Photo: Sitthixay Ditthavong
Photo: Sitthixay Ditthavong
"Straight after the UFC thing I was pretty bummed obviously, I was just in shock at how it happened. It was a really weird thing," Edwards said.
"I went straight to In-N-Out burger, then straight to the gym after that. I was pretty happy with that and still trained every day.
"Its cool to see how they train at a world class gym because its exactly how we do it back home. It justifies everything were doing is correct, it was very cool.
"Absolutely [we're keeping up with the pace], weve had that many foreigners move out here, theres so many jiu-jitsu black belts and stuff.
"The only thing we really lack in Australia is a lot of wrestling, but its similar in Brazil. In Brazil they are mostly Muay Thai and jiu-jitsu obviously.
"The only difference between America and here is they have everything in one facility, we just have to drive around a little bit.
"You have your mad jiu-jitsu school over here, you have your mad boxing and striking school over there, we have got to do a little bit more travel.
"Thats pretty much the only difference except for wrestling."
But wrestling is on the up – Whittaker, Australia's first UFC champion, was selected in the nation's Commonwealth Games wrestling team.
But the UFC forced a "gutted" Whittaker to stand down 19 days out from the opening ceremony or risk being stripped of his championship, ultimately opening the door for Canberra's Nick Verreynne to live his Commonwealth Games dream.
While Horn and Whittaker are competing for pay-per-view buys back home, there is a silver lining in their unlikely schedule clash.
Australia is ready to take over the fight game.
HORN v CRAWFORD
Sunday: Jeff Horn v Terence Crawford for the WBO welterweight championship at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas. TV: Live on Main Event from 10am.
*Caden Helmers is in Las Vegas as a guest of Duco Events.
Caden Helmers is a sports reporter for The Canberra Times
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