Robert Whittaker had to pull out of the Commonwealth Games to avoid the risk of losing his UFC title. Photo / Getty Images
Robert Whittaker almost had a shot the chase Commonwealth Games gold.
The Auckland-born UFC middleweight champion qualified to represent Australia in wrestling at the Games on the Gold Coast earlier this year, but made the decision to withdraw from the competition.
After being unable to defend his title at a
UFC event earlier in the year due to illness, the promotion weren't keen on even the chance he might be unable to defend it against Yoel Romero in Chicago next month.
Whittaker was told if he competed in the Games and was injured, the UFC would strip him of his title. Unwilling to take the risk, he put his quest for Games gold on hold.
"It wasn't tough making the decision as much as it was swallowing it," Whittaker told the Herald. "If it ever comes between what pays the bills around here and my family, and what I do just for honour and because I enjoy it – there's no choice to be made.
