Dana White reveals that champion Whittaker has a serious illness

R. Whittaker has a serious infection (Photo: Reproduction Facebook ufc)

Newly crowned UFC middleweight champion after withdrawal from Georges St Pierre, Robert whittaker was removed from his first title defense, which would take place at UFC 221 against Luke Rockhold, for a serious reason. As revealed by the president of Ultimate, Dana White, the Australian suffers from a stomach infection which, because it was not treated correctly, left him in a situation described as “serious”.

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In an interview with “TSN”, Dana described in frightening detail Whittaker's problem, whose infection began to “eat part of his organs”.

“He had a staph infection in his stomach. From what I know, it wasn't treated properly and started eating part of his organs. He is in a very serious situation. It will be a while before he can come back, I think. I hope it is resolved quickly, but these things are life-threatening if they are not treated properly”, commented the director.

With Whittaker's departure from UFC 221, Rockhold will now face the Cuban Yoel romero. Because the linear champion's illness is serious, the duel between Rockhold and Romero will be for the interim belt, so that the division can continue in the Australian's absence.