• UFC

Sydney showdown for Alves and Kampmann

Martin Kampmann will take on Thiago Alves in Sydney © UFC

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Thiago Alves to fight Martin Kampmann in March
  

Thiago Alves and Martin Kampmann will do battle in Sydney on March 3, the UFC has confirmed.

The welterweights will headline the event at the Allphones Arena as the UFC returns to Australia for a third time, with the flyweight division also being unveiled.

Alves will arrive in Australia on the back of a victory following his first-round submission win over Papy Abedi at UFC 138 last month, while Kampmann snapped a two-fight losing streak with victory over Rick Story at UFC 139.

The opening two bouts for the flyweight tournament will take place on the card, with Joseph Benavidez taking on Japanese Shooto champion Yasuhiro Urushitani and Demetrious Johnson meeting Ian McCall to determine the title contenders.

Johnson and Benavidez both make the drop from bantamweight, while Urushitani and McCall, widely considered to be the world's top two 125 pounders, will make their UFC debuts in Sydney.

"The UFC is thrilled to return to Sydney for its third live event in three years. We've had tremendous success with our two previous events, with last year's UFC 127 remaining the equal fastest sell-out in the organisation's history," Marshall Zelaznik, head of the UFC's international development, said.

"I've got no doubt that our Aussie fans will be just as excited about our March event, especially as they'll witness UFC history with the introduction of the flyweight division. The 125-pound contenders will absolutely put everything on the line is Sydney, knowing that the winners of those two bouts will then have a shot at the inaugural flyweight title."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.