New champion Whittaker could be out until 2018 with knee injury

R. Whittaker is the new middleweight champion (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC)

The new interim UFC middleweight champion, Robert whittaker, may only return to the octagon in 2018. After suffering a knee injury at the beginning of his fight with Yoel romero, which served as the main attraction of UFC 213 last Saturday (8), the New Zealander received a medical suspension from the Nevada Athletic Commission. Initially, he will only be out for a month, but if the problem there is more serious, the organization will prevent him from working for the rest of the year.

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This means that, if he wants to return to acting before 2018, Whittaker will need to present tests that prove his improvement. If the exams reveal any type of knee problem, the champion will only be released to fight from January 4th of next year.

Another athlete who was involved in UFC 213 also faces the same situation. Anthony Pettis, who returned to lightweight with a dominant victory over Jim Miller, suffered an injury to his right hand and will undergo an x-ray to check the extent of the problem. If a fracture is proven at the location, “Showtime” will also only be able to return on January 4, 2018.

The three Brazilians in action at last Saturday's event (8) also received medical suspensions Fabricio Werdum, who lost a balanced decision to alistair overeem was suspended until August 23rd and is banned from training until August 8th. Thiago Santos beat Gerald Meeraschaert by knockout, but had the same suspension as “Vai Cavalo” – he can return sooner if the cut above his eyebrow closes. Douglas D'Silva, defeated by submission in a duel against Rob font, stays out for a month, and can return to fight on August 8th.