Robert Whittaker has been forced out of UFC 234. Photo / Getty
By Christopher Reive in Melbourne
Kiwi-born UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker insisted he would be able to fight in his headline spot at UFC 234 in Melbourne on Sunday until five minutes before surgery.
The Sydney-based fighter was forced to withdraw from the card early on Sunday morning due to a twisted and collapsed bowel and a sports hernia which required duel emergency surgeries to repair.
A statement released by his management has revealed Whittaker was reluctant to withdraw even after suffering the shock illness.
"Up until five minutes before going into surgery, Rob was insisting he would fight, but advice was that a blow to his stomach could be fatal."
As a result, the "people's main event" has become the official main event with Kiwi phenom Israel Adesanya taking on Brazilian legend Anderson Silva.
The cancellation of the bout poses the question of whether or not Gastelum will get the first shot at Whittaker's belt when he returns from injury, with the winner of the fight between Adesanya and Silva guaranteed a title shot.
God has a reason for doing things and I firmly believe his plans are much bigger and better than I can even imagine.
— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) February 9, 2019
I’m so torn about this situation. A lifetime of pursuit to be able to reach this level and I hope none of these efforts will go in vain. #andnew #OnAmission4Gold
I wish @robwhittakermma a speedy recovery champ! Get well soon!
— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) February 9, 2019
Elevated to the co-main is the lightweight matchup between Albuquerque action hero Lando Vannata and surging Brazilian Marcos Mariano.
Despite being elevated to the main event, Adesanya's bout will remain a three-round fight.
This is the second time in 12 months that Whittaker has had to withdraw from a title defence on home soil, after injury forced him out of the card at UFC 221 in Perth last February.
ESPN first reported the news and said Whittaker's withdrawal was not a result of weight cutting issues.
"He was taken to hospital and diagnosed with a hernia," ESPN reporter Brett Okamoto revealed. "It wasn't a weight-cutting related issue or anything like that, it's just a very unfortunate hernia issue which may even require a procedure."
UFC President Dana White later confirmed the 28-year-old would be undertaking surgery today.
According to source very close to Robert Whittaker here’s what happened: He started getting abdominal cramps and bloating late last night. Then vomiting started at about 10pm. He was taken to hospital at about 2am and has had a series of tests and scans and is now in surgery.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 9, 2019
BREAKING NEWS: Robert Whittaker is OUT of his #UFC234 title defence against Kelvin Gastelum with a hernia in his abdomen, per @bokamotoESPN
— Chisanga Malata (@Chisanga_Malata) February 9, 2019
The ailment was diagnosed late last night, Australian time. Absolutely gutting for ‘Bobby Knuckles.’ pic.twitter.com/7qPZoMZjys
Here is the new UFC 234 lineup. Absolutely gutted for Robert Whittaker. Man. pic.twitter.com/hv2rEPjifF
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) February 9, 2019
The Sydney-based star has experienced a horror run of injuries and illness throughout his career, including a gruesome abscess infection which forced him to pull out of UFC 221 in 2018.
I was literally just talking about Robert Whittaker’s inability to stay healthy is the reason why he isn’t recognized as a top fighter. And then...he’s out on the morning of the fight with a hernia. Dude. Wtf.
— Andreas Hale (@AndreasHale) February 9, 2019
Was Robert Whittaker helping a friend move the night before a title fight? This is so bizarre.
— RJ Clifford (@RJcliffordMMA) February 9, 2019
Due to change in the main event, customers may request a full refund of their purchased tickets at the point of sale.