OK, give me the essentials

UFC Fight Night 101, at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne on Sunday, November 27, from 10.30am

UFC? MMA? What's the difference?

MMA is the sport - mixed martial arts, a combination of fighting disciplines. UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) is a US company based in Las Vegas and the largest promoter of MMA. The vast majority of the world's best MMA fighters compete under the UFC banner.

How many fights on the night?

Thirteen all up – 12 men's and a women's bout. The first undercard is three fights from 10.30am. The first of four preliminary fights is due to start at midday and the six fights on the main card are expected to start from 2pm.

How many Aussies are fighting?

Whittaker, left, kicks Rafael Natal during a middleweight bout at UFC 197. Photo: AP

Eight, including Robert Whittaker and Jake Matthews in the main events

Is this Fight Night as big a deal as last year's UFC 193 in Melbourne?

No. At UFC 193, there were two belts on the line. Holly Holm stunned the world by handing megastar Ronda Rousey her first defeat, taking the women's bantamweight title off her. Joanna Jedrzejczyk successfully defended her strawweight crown against Valerie Letourneau. There will be no titles up for grabs on November 27. UFC 193 also attracted a record UFC crowd of 56,214 at Etihad Stadium. UFC Fight Night 101 will be held at the smaller Rod Laver Arena.

So why should I be excited about Fight Night 101?

Because it gives Whittaker the opportunity to improve his chances of a middleweight title shot. A win for the No.7 contender against No.8 Brunson would more than likely see him fight a top-five opponent in his next bout. If he wins that, he will come close to securing a No.1 contender fight. Whittaker has won his last five fights in a streak that dates back to June 2014, so it is important that he continues that momentum and keeps his charge towards the belt on track.

What does the card look like?

Matthews punches Akbarh Arreola during UFC 193. Photo: Darrian Traynor

Robert Whittaker [7] (AUS) vs. Derek Brunson [8] (USA) - Middleweight (main event)

Jake Matthews (AUS) vs. Andrew Holbrook (USA) - Lightweight

Kyle Noke (AUS) vs. Omari Akhmedov (RUS) - Welterweight

Yusuke Kasuya (JPN) vs. Alex Volkanovski (AUS) - Featherweight

Dan Kelly (AUS) vs. Chris Camozzi (USA) - Middleweight

Damien Brown (AUS) vs. Jon Tuck (USA) - Lightweight

Richard Walsh (AUS) vs. Jonathan Meunier (CAN) - Welterweight

Ben Nguyen (USA) vs. Geane Herrera (USA) - Flyweight

Dan Hooker (NZL) vs. Jason Knight (USA) - Featherweight

Yao Zhikui (CHN) vs. Jenel Lausa (PHL) - Flyweight

Seo Hee Ham (KOR) vs. Danielle Taylor (USA) - Women's Strawweight

Tyson Pedro (AUS) vs. Khalil Rountree (USA) - Light Heavyweight

Marlon Vera (ECU) vs. Ning Guangyou (CHN) - Bantamweight

Strawweight?

Yep, the lightest of the weight divisions for fighters up to 52.2kgs. The others are:

​Flyweight (52.2kg – 56.7kg)

Bantamweight (56.7kg – 61.2kg)

Featherweight (61.2kg – 65.8kg)

Lightweight (65.8kg – 70.3kg)

Welterweight (70.3kg – 77.1kg)

Middleweight (77.1kg – 83.9kg)

Light Heavyweight (83.9kg – 93kg)

Heavyweight (93kg – 120.2kg)

What's the difference between a Fight Night and a numbered event?

The sell-out crowd at UFC 193 at Etihad Stadium. Photo: Darrian Traynor

Fight Nights are usually weaker cards featuring less-heralded fighters and fans don't have to pay extra to watch them on TV, ie. Fight Night 101 will be shown on Fox Sports. Numbered events feature stronger cards and more high-profile fighters. There's usually at least one title match at a numbered event and they are pay-per-view events.