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Whittaker receives title shot in UFC 213 co-main event

Robert Whittaker has received his first title shot, with UFC president Dana White announcing the Australian's next bout will take place at UFC 213 in July.

Whittaker, 26, will fight Yoel Romero for the competition's interim middleweight title at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Romero, a 40-year-old Cuban, is ranked No.1 in the division, having gone 8-0, while Whittaker is 6-0.

Whittaker's last fight was a knockout victory against Ronaldo Souza.

The interim title fight will take place due to champion Michael Bisping's knee injury.

Robert Whittaker. Pic: Getty
Robert Whittaker. Pic: Getty

Romero, who won a silver medal in freestyle wrestling at the Sydney Olympics, holds an overall record of 12-1 to Whittaker's 18-4.

The bout has replaced Cody Garbrandt's bantamweight title defence against T.J. Dillashaw.

Garbrandt is currently recovering from a back injury.

White also announced that Amanda Nunes will defend her women's bantamweight title against Valentina Shevchenko in the other main event.