Champion Whittaker explains illness that took him out of UFC 221

R. Whittaker should return this year (Photo: Reproduction Facebook ufc)

Ultimate arrives in Australia next week for UFC 221, an event that will take place on Saturday (10). Initially, the main attraction of the show would feature the new middleweight champion's first title defense. Robert whittaker. However, the Australian was forced to withdraw from the event with an illness that Ultimate president Dana White described as “very serious”. Gradually returning to training, “The Reaper” disclosed details of his problem.

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In an interview with the Submission Radio program, Whittaker explained that a series of injuries forced him to leave the duel, which culminated in the infection that almost spread throughout his body.

“Everyone knows that I like to fight injured. I had an injury in half of the fights I accepted in the UFC. Right before I got sick, I had a problem with my thigh. And I was training accordingly, compensating in other areas. But then I had a very severe infection and the antibiotics finished me off. I was having a lot of trouble recovering and, almost at the end of the infection, I still contracted chickenpox (laughs). That’s why my face is all marked”, commented the champion, who said he was happy with the idea of ​​an interim title.

“I felt really good when the UFC offered this alternative. This fight (between Yoel romero e Luke Rockhold) will be very good. As a fan, I would pay to see this fight. I think people want to see this fight and I'm more than happy to beat Yoel again or beat Rockhold for the first time,” he pointed out.