Robert Whittaker Withdraws from UFC 234 Main Event

Robert Whittaker withdrew from the UFC 234 main event due to a hernia in his abdomen. The middleweight champion was set to face Kelvin Gastelum on February 10, 2019.

What happened?

Israel Adesanya and Anderson Silva stepped in as the new main event. Their fight remained a three-round bout despite being elevated to the main event.

Why it matters for Robert Whittaker

Robert Whittaker has only fought once since becoming champion. That bout was changed to a non-title fight when his opponent, Yoel Romero, missed weight at UFC 225.

What comes next?

The middleweight belt hasn't been defended since Michael Bisping took on Georges St-Pierre in November 2017. Georges St-Pierre won the title but surrendered it without ever defending it.

Robert Whittaker's withdrawal was announced hours before the fight. The event took place at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia.

The UFC 234 fight between Israel Adesanya and Anderson Silva was highly anticipated. The two fighters put on a show, with Adesanya winning the fight.

Robert Whittaker's injury was a significant setback for the champion. He had been training for the fight and was ready to defend his title.

The middleweight division is highly competitive, with many top fighters vying for the title. Robert Whittaker will need to recover from his injury and get back to training to remain a top contender.

The UFC 234 event was a success, despite the last-minute change to the main event. The fans in attendance were treated to an exciting fight between Adesanya and Silva.

Robert Whittaker's fans will be eagerly awaiting his return to the octagon. The champion will need to be careful and make sure he is fully recovered before fighting again.