After his five-round war with Yoel Romero last month at UFC 225, it was unknown as to whether middleweight champion Robert Whittaker would be able to squeeze another fight in for 2018. Now, it’s more than clear, as the “Reaper” will be sidelined until at least 2019 with a hand injury.
Whittaker (20-4) broke his right hand in the first round of his fight with Romero last month, a fight in which the Australian got the nod by split decision. The bout was supposed to be Whittaker’s first scheduled title defense of his 185-pound belt, but since Romero missed weight, the fight was deemed a non-title bout.