Commonwealth Games 2018: UFC champion Robert Whittaker commits to gold medal bid
UFC middleweight champ Robert Whittaker still wants to wrestle for Australia at the 2018 Commonwealth Games — then defend his title belt 12 weeks later.
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UFC middleweight champ Robert Whittaker still wants to wrestle for Australia at the 2018 Commonwealth Games — then defend his title belt 12 weeks later.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal Whittaker has told Aussie wrestling officials he will be right to compete at the Games in April, despite being forced to withdraw from this Sunday’s UFC 221 headliner through illness.
The 27-year-old Sydneysider was set to defend his belt for the first time against American Luke Rockhold in Perth.
However, an unfortunate string of illnesses, which included a serious staph infection and then chickenpox, forced him out, with Cuban Yoel Romero a late replacement at the top of the card.
Yet despite his injury setback, Whittaker remains determined to chase gold for his country in the 97kg division, which he qualified for last November.
Should he be selected, UFC officials then plan to have the Australian defend his middleweight title — most likely on a blockbuster Las Vegas card in July — against the winner of Sunday’s bout.
Asked about the situation last night, Rockhold said: “I don’t know too much but, from what I’ve heard, Whittaker will be good to go again in July, early summer time.
“Obviously it’s disappointing that we’re not fighting for the title this weekend — Whittaker’s a challenge I was looking forward to — but Romero would’ve been my next fight anyway.
“He and Rob, they’re the guys you can’t avoid.
“So this is how it’s meant to be.”
While Australian wrestling officials had wanted to name its Games team before Christmas, the announcement has been delayed because of two athletes appealing their non-selection.
Both cases are due to be heard next Wednesday, with the team to be finalised as early as Thursday morning.
Regardless, Whittaker is almost assured of creating history as the first incumbent UFC champion to compete at a Commonwealth Games.
Better, the Sydneysider, who became a father for the third time this week, will then get to defend his world title within the space of just 12 weeks.
The champ also took to social media yesterday, posting a picture of his new baby daughter with the statement: “God always has a plan, I was gutted I couldn’t defend my belt at UFC Perth but I’ve just been blessed with a little girl that stole my heart. My wife did so well and I couldn’t be a prouder husband or dad.”