Israel Adesanya will fight Anderson Silva in the UFC 234 main event.
The bout remains a three-round fight despite its elevation to main event status.
What happened?
Robert Whittaker pulled out of the event due to a hernia in his abdomen.
This led to the Adesanya-Silva fight being promoted to the main event.
Why it matters for Israel Adesanya
The middleweight belt hasn't been defended since Michael Bisping took on Georges St-Pierre in November 2017.
St-Pierre won the title but surrendered it without defending it.
What comes next?
Whittaker has only fought once since becoming champion, at UFC 225 last June.
His opponent, Yoel Romero, missed weight, and the bout was changed to a non-title fight.
The Adesanya-Silva fight will not be for an interim title because Silva didn't make championship weight.
UFC 234 was originally scheduled to be headlined by Whittaker and challenger Kelvin Gastelum.
Israel Adesanya's fight against Anderson Silva is now the main event.
The event's date is still to be confirmed, but the fight will remain a three-round bout.
Anderson Silva is a tough opponent for Israel Adesanya.
Silva's experience will be a challenge for Adesanya in the UFC 234 main event.
The UFC 234 main event will be an exciting fight.
Israel Adesanya and Anderson Silva will give it their all in the three-round bout.