“Whole side of his head was in pain!” 24 hours before flying for short-notice fight, Robert Whittaker went through surgery

Robert Whittaker's team reveals that he underwent emergency surgery before the UFC Saudi Arabia event.

“Whole side of his head was in pain!” 24 hours before flying for short-notice fight, Robert Whittaker went through surgery

Robert Whittaker underwent shock surgery before fight (Source: IMAGO/Instagram)

Robert Whittaker put himself back in the title conversation this weekend. The Australian took part in UFC’s debut event in Saudi Arabia and defeated Ikram Aliskerov convincingly. After his incredible first-round knockout win, his team divulged information about a shocking emergency surgery.

No, not in the aftermath, just a week before the fight! Then again, in only 24 hours before jetting to the Middle East. The former middleweight titleholder read the room and derailed the Russian in the feature main event despite stylistic challenges to his game. Agent Titus Day says that the tough Australian could have had a whole other result had the swelling from surgery not gone down.

Rob has a really bad abscess that flared up a week before flying out, ...He had headaches, tooth pain, it was like he’d been kicked in the side of the head...He couldn’t train, couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep...It was fu*king painful. The whole side of his head was in pain — so we had to rush him in for emergency surgery.
Titus Day to Fox Sports AU (@FOXSportsAUS/X)
YouTube video

Dental abscesses can be a painful ordeal, especially with repeated impact on the jawline. Just ask Aliskerov, who suffered a blundering uppercut on the chin and an overhand from the ‘Reaper’ at the 1:49 mark of Round 1. Robert Whittaker is to undergo surgery in a couple of weeks; while 2-0 and still grinding this year, the surgery puts some doubts on his recovery.

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UFC 305: Du Plessis vs Adesanya, Live from RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia, is around the corner. After his victory, Whittaker has become a credible backup in the Australian Pay-per-view. ‘The Reaper’ himself has voiced his aspirations to pitch in. Troubled by the mouth abscess, he didn’t train the last few days before his matchup. Eight weeks out, yet he still has time to recover for the next one.

Undisputed gold aspirant Robert Whittaker welcomes backup at UFC 305

Whittaker smoked the heavy-handed phenom Ikram Aliskerov inside a round to etch his name in the books of violent knockouts. Immediately after the weekend’s victory, the middleweight “Boogeyman” hinted that he would be ready for the upcoming event at RAC Arena, Perth. However, there might be a slight hold on that plan.

Robert Whittaker wants in on the title pitcure
Robert Whittaker wants in on the title picture (Source: (@robwhittakermma) on Instagram/agfight.com)

The Aussie has promised a family holiday recess and timeout. Whittaker also has to consult with his camp on his root canal treatment and the long-term effects of his dental abscess. Nevertheless, the former champion remains excited about the future and would gladly welcome the backup spot for UFC 305.

Perth is around the corner from me so, it would be silly for me not to be a backup fighter in that regard...Especially with the win that I had tonight and the shape that I’m in. It just makes logical sense for me...
Robert Whittaker during the UFC on ABC 6 post-show panel interview for ESPN MMA (@espnmma) / X

Whittaker (27-7 MMA, 18-5 UFC) said he let himself down against current champ Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 290. Du Plessis beating him despite having an injury has shades of Whittaker performing dominantly during the main event headliner for UFC on ABC 6. In prime form, the UFC gold remains in sight. Hence, he wants to be ready for that affair, injury or not.

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