Robert Whittaker forced out of UFC 221 with injury, Luke Rockhold gets a new opponent!
UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has suffered an injury and will no longer be able to compete against Luke Rockhold in the headliner of next month’s UFC 221 pay-per-view in Australia.
The former UFC middleweight champion, Rockhold, will now face off with perennial contender Yoel Romero for the promotions interim middleweight title at the event.
ESPN’s Brett Okamoto was first to report the news on Twitter:
Breaking on ESPN: Robert Whittaker has pulled out of UFC 221 next month due to injury. Luke Rockhold vs. Yoel Romero for interim title will headline, per UFC. Whittaker will face winner. https://t.co/fhl4dCXUHR
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) January 13, 2018
“Breaking on ESPN: Robert Whittaker has pulled out of UFC 221 next month due to injury. Luke Rockhold vs. Yoel Romero for interim title will headline, per UFC. Whittaker will face winner.” – Brett Okamoto
No word yet on who will replace the “Soldier of God” against Branch.
Romero was last seen in action at UFC 213 where he suffered a close decision loss to the aformentioned Robert Whittaker in a bout that crowned the promotions interim middleweight champion.
Whittaker was later promoted to undisputed middleweight champion, this after Georges St-Pierre opted to vacate his middleweight strap shortly after defeating Michael Bisping at UFC 217.
Who do you think will emerge victorious in UFC 221’s newly announced main event between Romero and Rockhold? Sound off PENN Nation!