Whittaker will defend middleweight title against Gastelum in Australia

UFC president Dana White said Robert Whittaker will get a chance to defend his middleweight title against Kelvin Gastelum in his home country of Australia.

White did not confirm a specific date, but sources told ESPN's Brett Okamoto that the promotion is targeting early February for the event.

"We'll announce that when it's time. It'll be in Australia," White told Okamoto.

Whittaker won the interim middleweight title against Yoel Romero at UFC 213 and was later promoted to undisputed champion before defeating Romero once again at UFC 225.

White also confirmed to Okamoto that he's considering booking Chris Weidman as an alternate in the event either Whittaker or Gastelum can't compete.