According to the promotion, Whittaker has been forced to withdraw from of his February 10 bout against former champ Luke Rockhold has been ruled medically unable to compete in from of his fellow Australians with “several significant injuries.”
“I’m beyond disappointed that I’m unable to defend the title in my home country of Australia,” Whittaker expressed in a statement. “I hope the fans enjoy what should be a great night of fights at UFC 221 and I look forward to a recovery as soon as possible that will have me back in the Octagon to face the winner of the main event.