Robert Whittaker’s next title defense likely won’t come until early next year.
The UFC middleweight champion told ESPN's Ariel Helwani that the hand injury suffered in his split-decision victory over Yoel Romero at UFC 225 will keep him out until February at the earliest. Whittaker broke his right hand in the opening round of the June 9 bout and also revealed that he suffered ligament damage in his left hand.
Whittaker recently underwent surgery and will need the rest of 2018 to recover.
"I haven't even started the rehab process yet," Whittaker said.