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By Christopher Reive in Melbourne
UFC Kiwi middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker, insisted that he would be able to fight for his title in UFC 234 in Melbourne on Sunday until five. minutes before surgery.
The Sydney-based fighter was forced to withdraw his card early Sunday morning because of a torn colon and a sports hernia that required surgery in case of a duel.
A statement released by his management revealed that Whittaker was reluctant to withdraw even after suffering from shock illness.
"Until five minutes before being operated on, Rob insisted that he fight, but it was said that a blow to the stomach could be fatal."
As a result, "the main event of the people" became the main official event with the Kiwi phenomenon, Israel Adesanya, facing the Brazilian legend Anderson Silva.
The cancellation of the fight raises the question of whether Gastelum will or will not have the first blow to Whittaker's belt on his return from injury, the winner of the bout between Adesanya and Silva guaranteeing the title.
God has a reason to do things and I firmly believe that his plans are much bigger and better than I can even imagine.
I am so torn by this situation. A lifetime of research to be able to reach this level and I hope that none of these efforts will be in vain. #and new # OnAmission4Gold– # OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) February 9, 2019
The light match between the action hero Albuquerque, Lando Vannata and the Brazilian Marcos Mariano, is in the spotlight.
Despite being high at the main event, the fight of Adesanya will remain a three-round fight.
This is the second time in 12 months that Whittaker has to give up a defense of its title on its home soil after being excluded from the card against UFC 221 in Perth last February. .
ESPN first announced the news and said that Whittaker's withdrawal was not due to weight loss issues.
"He was taken to the hospital and diagnosed with hernia," revealed ESPN reporter Brett Okamoto. "It was not a problem related to weight reduction or anything like that, it's just a very unfortunate problem for a hernia that might even require a procedure."
UFC President Dana White later confirmed that the 28-year-old was going to undergo surgery today.
According to the very close source of Robert Whittaker, this is what happened: he started having abdominal cramps and bloating late at night. Then the vomiting began around 22 hours. He was taken to the hospital around 2 am He has pbaded a series of tests and scans and is currently in surgery.
– Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 9, 2019
Latest News: Robert Whittaker is out of his # UFC234 title defense against Kelvin Gastelum with a hernia in the belly, per @bokamotoESPN
The disease was diagnosed late last night, Australian time. Absolutely disheartening for "Bobby Knuckles". pic.twitter.com/7qPZoMZjys
– Chisanga Malata (@Chisanga_Malata) February 9, 2019
The Sydney-based star has had a horrific career of injury and illness, including a terrible abscess infection that forced her to retire from UFC 221 in 2018.
I was literally talking about Robert Whittaker's inability to stay healthy and that's why he is not recognized as a high level fighter. And then … he left the morning of the fight with a hernia. Guy. Wtf.
– Andreas Hale (@AndreasHale) February 9, 2019
Did Robert Whittaker help a friend move the day before a title match? It's so weird.
– RJ Clifford (@RJcliffordMMA) February 9, 2019
Due to changes in the main event, customers can request a full refund of their tickets purchased at the point of sale.
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