The UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has withdrawn from a scheduled title defence against Luke Rockhold at UFC 221 next month due to an undisclosed injury.
ESPN’s Brett Okamoto broke the news in the early hours of this morning.
In what will be a blow to both Whittaker and the UFC, Whittaker was headlining in his adopted country of Australia in his first title defence since being moved up from interim to full champ.
His opponent Luke Rockhold (16-3) will now face Yoel Romero (12-2) for an interim 185-pound championship. UFC officials told ESPN that Whittaker will face the winner in a unification bout.
“I’m beyond disappointed that I’m unable to defend the title in my home country of Australia,” Whittaker stated to ESPN. “I hope the fans enjoy what should be a great night of fights at UFC 221, and I look forward to a recovery as soon as possible that will have me back in the Octagon to face the winner of the main event.”
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42 Responses
So its luke vs i yavo you mike guy
Shit
I’m so fucking over all these paper belts the UFC has.
Handing interim titles out all over the place these days!
Nick gutted.
Not bothered watching Roid lad vs zoolander.
No not a good card at all now
Spewing bahaha glad I didn’t get ripped off on tickets now
Christopher Corbett
Interim while the undisputed title is vacant?
When GSP vacated, they promoted Whitaker to undisputed status.
Casual…..
Shaun Lee fuck sake
Wtf fuck … That sucks
Shaun Lee you suck
David Okeeffe ??
Another fucking interim? Just make it a #1 contender fight. WME can fuck off.
The lack of any structure to anything in The last 12 months is staggering. Between interim champs and pointless ranking systems on top of expecting the fighters to also be the actual promoters of fights you can’t help but feel there’s a real complacency with WME
Gary Rattray ?