Robert Whittaker underwent emergency surgery for a severe mouth abscess just 24 hours before leaving Australia for UFC Saudi Arabia. Despite the surgery, which included two root canals, Whittaker managed to secure a first-round knockout victory over Ikram Aliskerov. His manager, Titus Day, revealed to Fox Sports Australia that Whittaker experienced significant pain, including headaches and tooth pain, prior to the fight. The victory has reignited discussions about Whittaker's potential title shot or a title eliminator bout against Sean Strickland, although Strickland has expressed no interest in such a fight. Whittaker's performance and resilience have sparked debates about his ranking among middleweights and his future in the UFC. Whittaker rated his pain as 9.5 out of 10, and his UFC 305 status remains unclear.
Robert Whittaker underwent "emergency surgery" twenty-four hours before headlining #UFCSaudiArabia 😷😱 Full details here: https://t.co/adGwWQ8CT4 https://t.co/HMUz4xn8zc
⚡️Robert Whittaker reveals more information on surgery he had two weeks before the fight at #UFCSaudiArabia "It wasn't that bad as it sounds. I had to get two root canals. I think two days before I flew out. I had pretty bad infection in mid jaw. I give it 9.5 of 10 on a pain… https://t.co/haqEvc6omU
🚨NEW: Sean Strickland officially shuts down the fans request for him to fight Robert Whittaker in a middleweight No. 1 contender bout following Whittaker’s first round knockout over Ikram Aliskerov at #UFCSaudiArabia, and says he will wait for the winner of Dricus Du Plessis vs.… https://t.co/dkVHKtrLbn
Sean Strickland dismisses possible Robert Whittaker clash after UFC Saudi Arabia 😤 #MMA #UFCSaudiArabia https://t.co/QNjonNpjKf
Sean Strickland has NO interest in a title eliminator with Robert Whittaker next. 👀 https://t.co/kprw2wVw95
Video: Does Robert Whittaker deserve a title shot after his KO win at UFC on ABC 6? https://t.co/1P3wBTOQdX
Sean Strickland is NOT interested in a #1 contender fight against Robert Whittaker #UFC #MMA https://t.co/cMHGGLzW9h
🚨 Robert Whittaker reveals his plans after #UFCSaudiArabia and says he's going to announce something soon 👀 "Stay tuned, gonna announce something." 🎥 IG / @robwhittakermma #UFC #MMA https://t.co/MCzIm7J8Db
Should be noted Robert Whittaker flew from Australia to Dubai and spent final days of camp there before going to Saudi on fight week. Not lessening his struggle but his emergency surgery was a little further out from competition than being interpreted. https://t.co/hXqk4ErKhJ
#UFCSaudiArabia: Robert Whittaker had emergency surgery prior to flying out for his fight with Ikram Aliskerov. via @CagesidePress #MMA https://t.co/pXTJT9KQu1
Manager: Robert Whittaker Had Emergency Surgery 24 Hours Before UFC Saudi Arabia https://t.co/QgkHnrPypZ
Robert Whittaker had emergency surgery a week before flying out for UFC Saudi Arabia 😳 📰 https://t.co/UuYTRvB65n https://t.co/Y3mMOeuejr
Manager: Robert Whittaker underwent emergency surgery before UFC Saudi Arabia, UFC 305 status unclear https://t.co/UuYTRvB65n
🚨BREAKING: Robert Whittaker’s manager Titus Day reveals to @foxsportsaus that Whittaker underwent “emergency surgery” 24 hours before he left Australia for his fight at #UFCSaudiArabia because of a “severe mouth abscess.” 😳 “He had headaches, tooth pain, it was like he’d been… https://t.co/YlV3aY9xT4
🚨BREAKING: Robert Whittaker’s manager Titus Day reveals to @foxsportsaus that Whittaker underwent “emergency surgery” 24 hours before he left Australia for his fight at Saudi Arabia because of a “severe mouth abscess.” 😳 “He had headaches, tooth pain, it was like he’d been… https://t.co/nQhOB5NpuC
What's next for Robert Whittaker and Ikram Aliskerov after #UFCSaudiArabia? (via @ColeShelton91) https://t.co/6sFQ9TEF90
Whittaker camp reveals 'emergency surgery' days before Aliskerov bout | https://t.co/UUYIq80pON https://t.co/30x0pgbbcU
Robert Whittaker had surgery 24 hours before leaving for Saudi Arabia 🤯 “The whole side of his head was in pain so we had to rush him in for emergency surgery” says his manager Titus Day. via Fox Sports Australia https://t.co/rDRO1dfIuu
Robert Whittaker had emergency surgery just 24 hours before he left Australia for Saudi. A “severe mouth abscess” left Whittaker unable to train, eat, or sleep per Fox Sports Australia. His agent Titus Day: “He had headaches, tooth pain, it was like he’d been kicked in the… https://t.co/Rf9jg1Fwwc
Whittaker Underwent Emergency Surgery One Week Before Fight https://t.co/cYyRfTQqYs
Robert Whittaker offs Ikram Aliskerov | UFC Saudi Arabia: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov recap Robert Whittaker was supposed to fight Khamzat Chimaev at UFC Saudi Arabia. But, as usual, Khamzat Chimaev pulled out of the fight. Instead we saw Robert Whittaker take on Ikram Aliskerov and… https://t.co/LIFzt63Soc
What should be next for Robert Whittaker? @dannyseguratv wants to see title shot or title eliminator bout vs. Sean Strickland. 🏆 #SpinningBackClique Full SBC episode: https://t.co/jhyvlrdpH2 https://t.co/a97i3oskgq
What should be next for Robert Whittaker? @dannyseguratv wants to see title shot or title eliminator bout vs. Sean Strickland. Do you agree? 🤔 #SpinningBackClique Full SBC episode: https://t.co/jhyvlrdpH2 https://t.co/PeRK0AHckn
Mailbag: Where does Robert Whittaker rank all-time at middleweight? Plus fallout from UFC Saudi Arabia https://t.co/XvPSzF9DLb
If Robert Whittaker had fought Khamzat Chimaev yesterday who do you think would have won? #UFCSaudiArabia #UFC #MMA https://t.co/CtwZU844af
On To the Next One: What’s next for Robert Whittaker after quick knockout win at UFC Saudi Arabia? https://t.co/zhibbPL5qE
Robert Whittaker is closer than ever to earning another chance to regain the UFC title he lost in 2019 after #UFCSaudiArabia. @MikeBohn thinks facing Sean Strickland would decide a No. 1 contender. https://t.co/dvFhfhDxdj