Robert Whittaker was trying to fight Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 234 — even with a severe hernia.
The UFC middleweight champion said Sunday night in a video statement posted to his Instagram page that he was trying to convince doctors to let him defend his title in Melbourne, Australia, right up until the point that they told him he needed emergency surgery. Or else.
“Let me say that I’m sorry to all my friends and family and fans that came out to watch me perform,” Whittaker said. “But unfortunately I couldn’t be there.