Robert Whittaker Reveals Planned UFC Return Date After Crushing Loss To Khamzat Chimaev

November 27, 2024

in MMA

Reading Time: 4 mins read

Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has his eyes on a mid-2025 return after repairing the injury he sustained by the hands of Khamzat Chimaev final month.

Following two sturdy appearances in 2024 that noticed him outpoint Paulo Costa and knock out the extremely touted Ikram Aliskerov, Whittaker hoped to make it three on the bounce at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi.

However his pursuit of a rematch with present titleholder Dricus Du Plessis got here to an emphatic halt by the hands of Chimaev, who added “The Reaper” to the listing of victims on his undefeated file.

And the outcome was up there with the Chechen star’s most vicious within the UFC to this point, as he dragged Whittaker down earlier than displacing his entrance enamel with a brutal face crank within the very first spherical.

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Throughout a latest episode of his MMArcade Podcast, Whittaker offered an replace on his standing, revealing he underwent a process to take away and exchange the broken enamel — dental surgical procedure that additionally uncovered a large cyst within the Australian’s jaw.

However the former champ is now on the mend, and he’s even eyeing a return to motion as quickly as Could 2025.

“I’m going to provide a little bit of time. I’m not going to hurry into the subsequent struggle, as a result of there are some issues I wish to deal with,” Whittaker stated. “I’m most likely seeking to return in June. June-ish? Finish of Could? I don’t know. We’ll play with the dates subsequent 12 months.”

And when he does make the stroll once more, “The Reaper” is promising to adapt and present new wrinkles to his recreation.

“I’m 34 in December,” Whittaker famous. “I nonetheless have, I really feel like some tips up my sleeve. I nonetheless have some targets that I wish to hit. Like I stated, I’m constructing some new abilities. However that’s simply how I have a look at issues. Each impediment and setback simply makes me stronger, it makes the comeback higher. I’m wanting ahead to getting again in there. I’m having fun with coaching. I’m excited for the subsequent, what I may very well be.”

Whereas Whittaker focuses on his restoration and plan to show a brand new and improved “Bobby Knuckles” subsequent 12 months, Chimaev has his sights set on the middleweight gold.

Though he’s but to be confirmed as subsequent in line over Sean Strickland, “Borz” seems to have loads of help from his friends and the MMA lots relating to Du Plessis’ second protection of the 185-pound title.