- Robert Whittaker underwent emergency surgery for the UFC in Saudi Arabia
- He couldn’t exercise, sleep or even eat because of a serious abscess
- Whittaker’s manager says his fighter still needs more surgeries
Australian MMA superstar Robert Whittaker delivered a stunning performance on last Sunday’s UFC card – despite undergoing surgery just a fortnight before the fight.
That’s right, the former middleweight champion underwent emergency surgery for a serious mouth abscess just before his flight to Saudi Arabia.
During the fight, the 33-year-old once again proved why he is one of the best in the 185-pound division by destroying his opponent in less than two minutes.
He landed a chopping right hand to wobble Ikram Aliskerov, which he followed with a signature right head kick that barely missed the mark.
Whittaker then closed the show with a right uppercut, sending the previously undefeated Russian slumping against the cage.
After the fight, Whittaker’s manager told Titus Day Fox Sports Australia about emergency surgery.
“Rob has a very bad abscess that flared up a week before he left,” Day said.
‘He had a headache and a toothache, it was as if he had been kicked in the side of the head. He couldn’t exercise, couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep. It was damn painful.
Robert Whittaker underwent emergency surgery just a fortnight before his recent UFC fight
Robert Whittaker (photo) knocked out Ikram Aliskerov in the first round
“The whole side of his head was in pain, so we had to rush him in for emergency surgery.”
Whittaker didn’t mention the surgery after his fight, but Day says it was a serious issue — and still is.
“Rob had stopped training a few days before the surgery in Sydney,” Day said.
And then flew out with his face still numb. We had no idea if it would work out. Everyone prayed that the swelling would go down and that everything would be fine. And luckily it was.
‘But Rob is still in pain there. Needs more surgery in the next few weeks.”
Commentator and former middleweight champion Michael Bisping was impressed with Whittaker’s performance.
“Unbelievable… Robert Whittaker does it again and does it in style,” he said.
‘At his devastating best he is an absolute monster. That was perfect and that was exactly Robert Whittaker’s trademark. He knew he had hurt him.
The Australian UFC star suffered a serious abscess in his mouth and continues to require further surgery
“He proved again that he is one of the best we have ever seen. He’s one of the best in the world, it’s not just words for him.’
The win will certainly move the Australian closer to another shot at the middleweight title.
Whittaker indicated afterwards that he could even back up for another fight at UFC 305 in Perth if necessary.
“I’m healthy, I’m healthy, let’s go,” he said.
“I told you, I told everyone: I’m the boogeyman, I’m the best in the world and the most dangerous man in this division.
‘I’m the best in the world. I will compete with anyone, anywhere, anytime. I’ve been in this position a hundred times, I’m the hunter and that’s exactly what I did.’