Robert Whittaker issues statement on health, fighting future

Robert Whittaker is taking the worst lack of his profession in stride after UFC 308.

Former UFC middleweight champion Whittaker (26-8 MMA, 17-6 UFC) was on the receiving finish of his quickest defeat ever within the weight class on Saturday when Khamzat Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) took him to the bottom and scored a ugly submission that disfigured his tooth inside the primary spherical at Etihad Enviornment on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

Photos of Whittaker’s mouth surfaced after the combat along with his tooth crushed in an unnatural route courtesy of Chimaev’s submission, and it appeared to be a critical harm. Whittaker’s perspective signifies it’s extra of a nuisance, nevertheless, as a result of in his first assertion because the combat, he clarified that he doesn’t have a damaged jaw and solely tooth harm.

“It’s a tricky gig generally however that’s the enterprise,” Whittaker wrote on Instagram. “Large congratulations to Khamzat, he was the higher man tonight and that’s all there may be to it. I felt nice, the whole lot was on level and I used to be prepared. My jaw is sweet, however my tooth have been moved in. It’s a great excuse to repair them correctly now.”

Though Whittaker, 33, fell wanting his objective of beating Chimaev and making one other step nearer to a different probability to regain the 185-pound belt, it seems he’s not deterred. “The Reaper” stated he intends on returning to the octagon before later, however first he intends to totally get better and spend time along with his spouse, youngsters and different members of the family earlier than specializing in what his return to the cage will seem like.

“I’m disillusioned, however I come again higher from each setback and each problem so that is no totally different,” Whittaker stated. “I wish to thank my workforce and everybody who supported me to get right here. Time to go spend time with the household for a bit. Be again quickly.”

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 308.