Rob Wilkinson’s UFC run didn’t go as planned, but the Australian middleweight returned to the win column in his first post-octagon MMA appearance.
Released from the UFC following back-to-back losses to Siyar Bahadurzada and Israel Adesanya, the 27-year-old Wilkinson tried his hand at a few kickboxing contests earlier this year. But on Sunday, he stepped back into an MMA cage in his native country at Australian FC 23, which took place at Melbourne Pavilion and streamed live on UFC Fight Pass.
Standing across the cage from Wilkinson was a fellow countryman in Dylan Andrews, “The Ultimate Fighter 17” semifinalist who went on to compete five times in the UFC. Wilkinson dominated the action from the start, using thunderous leg kicks to damage his foe before working diligently for a guillotine choke from an odd angle to finish the fight in the opening round.
With the result, Wilkinson improved his career record to 12-2, keeping a perfect mark in contests outside the UFC.
Check out the action in the video above, and catch the rest of Australian FC 23 on UFC Fight Pass.
Fight footage courtesy of UFC Fight Pass, the UFC’s official digital subscription service, which is currently offering a seven-day free trial. UFC Fight Pass gives fans access to exclusive live UFC events and fights, exclusive live MMA and combat sports events from around the world, exclusive original and behind the scenes content and unprecedented 24-7 access to the world’s biggest fight library.
