Jason Floyd - The MMA Report

Robert Whittaker vs. Rafael Natal set for UFC 197

A middleweight bout has been added to the UFC 197 card in April as Robert Whittaker will look to continue his winning streak in the 185 pound division as he meets Rafael Natal in a bout that is likely to be place on the pay-per-view portion of the event.

UFC officials announced the fight booking on Monday evening.

UFC 197 will come from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on April 23 and will be headlined by a title fight rematch as Daniel Cormier defends the light heavyweight title against former champion Jon Jones.

Whittaker (15-4) is currently on a four fight winning streak and three of those wins have come in the middleweight division. His most recent win came in November against Uriah Hall at UFC 193 by decision and his previous two wins at middleweight came by knockout. Natal (21-6-1) also enters this fight on a four fight winning streak and three of those wins have come by decision. His last fight came last month at UFC on FOX 18 and he defeated Kevin Casey by TKO in the third round.

The current UFC 197: Cormier vs. Jones II fight card is below.

Daniel Cormier (17-1) vs. Jon Jones (21-1)
Demetrious Johnson (23-2-1) vs. Henry Cejudo (10-0)
Robert Whittaker (15-4) vs. Rafael Natal (21-6-1)