GRAPHIC WARNING: Gruesome photo of Aussie Rob Whittaker’s mutilated jaw

GRAPHIC WARNING: A gruesome photo has emerged showing just how badly Australia’s Rob Whittaker was mutilated in his UFC loss.

Robert Whittaker’s hopes of reclaiming the UFC middleweight belt are all but dashed after a brutal first round loss to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308 on Sunday morning (AEDT).

Whittaker was coming off two wins earlier this year and was prepared to go the full five rounds, but Chimaev said in the lead-up he would try to end the fight early.

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And the Russian certainly lived up to his promise, securing victory via submission just three minutes and 34 seconds into the fight.

Chimaev immediately nailed a take-down and the renowned grappler went to work as Whittaker was pinned up against the fence of the cage.

The Aussie tried to wriggled free and narrowly escaped a rear naked choke before Chimaev elbowed him flush on the jaw.

Chimaev then put Whittaker in a chokehold and the Aussie tapped out almost straight away.

Watch Rob Whittaker’s tap out in the video above

Chimaev got the early takedown. Photo: Main Event.

The was a nasty elbow. Photo: Main Event.

Rob Whittaker had to tap out. Photo: Main Event.

UFC commentator Jon Anik exclaimed: “He tapped! Still undefeated and coming to a title fight near you! Khamzat Chimaev is that good. What are you going to say about him now.”

Anik described it as “one of the most violent submissions” the UFC had seen.

Whittaker gestured to his camp suggesting his jaw was dislocated or broken, explaining the decision to tap out.

“Some rumblings that it might be a dislocated jaw for Robert Whittaker,” Anik said.

Former UFC champion Daniel Cormier said: “Robert’s pointing to his face. Holy cow. I think he messed up his jaw. That is amazing he did that do Rob Whittaker. Holy smokes.”

“He took down, controlled him the entire time and then just face cranked-crushed his jaw to the point, Anik added.

“I hope it’s not dislocated because that’s never fun to deal with.”

UFC writer Jay Pettry said a photo sent from commentator Daniel Cormier to UFC boss Dana White that showed Whittaker’s bottom middle three teeth dislodged in his mouth.

Oh my goodness. This is what happened to Robert Whittaker's jaw from Khamzat Chimaev's face crank. Insane. #UFC308pic.twitter.com/gC0jXDT5Gm

— Jay Pettry (@jaypettry) October 26, 2024

A classy Chimaev said Whittaker’s “chin is almost broken and paid tribute to his opponent.

The 14-0 fighter to after the fight: “Thanks bro, I love you my brother. You’re a legend. Respect for fighting me. No one wants to fight with me. All the champions are running from me.”

“Dana, what’s wrong with the UFC man? Give me the belt!”

The dominant first round victory means Chimaev is all but guaranteed a title fight against South Africa’s UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis.

It also rules out a shot at redemption for Whittaker, who has been working his way back up the middleweight rankings since losing his belt to Israel Adesanya in Melbourne in 2019.

The Aussie will lick his wounds and look to fight at UFC 312 in Sydney in February.

Max Holloway knocked out for first time ever

Ilia Topuria has proved he is the real deal, defending his UFC featherweight title in commanding fashion via KO against Max Holloway.

Holloway had never been knocked out in his UFC career but that changed in the second round of the main event.

The main event in Abu Dhabi looked was shaping up as a classic in the early stages, until Topuria hit Holloway with a brutal right hand, left hook combo that left the American seeing stars lying on the bloody canvas.

Ilia Topruia connects with a brutal punch on Max Holloway. Photo: Main Event.

Max Holloway was in a bad way. Photo: Main Event.

Even Volk was impressed. Photo: Main Event.

The result proved Topuria’s KO win over Alex Volkanovski earlier in the year was no fluke. The Aussie was watcing cageside in Abu Dhabi and is desperate for a shot at reclaiming the featherweight belt, although he has doubts over whether Topuria would travel to Sydney for UFC 312 in February.

Volkanovski entered the octogan and congratulated Topuria, who confirmed a rematch was on the cards.

“We are going to do it again,” he said.

“You’re the man. He defended his title I don’t know how many times, so if someone deserve it, it’s him. Let’s run it back.”

UFC 308 RESULTS

Ilia Topuria def. Max Holloway via KO — Round 3, 1:34

Khamzat Chimaev def. Robert Whittaker via submission (face crank) – Round 1, 3:34

Magomed Ankalaev def. Aleksandar Rakic via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Lerone Murphy def. Dan Ige via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Shara Magomedov def. Armen Petrosyan via TKO (backfist) – Round 2, 4:52

Originally published as GRAPHIC WARNING: Gruesome photo of Aussie Rob Whittaker’s mutilated jaw