Robert Whittaker said there ‘false rumors’ surrounding his decision to withdraw from the UFC 248 fight card.
Whittaker most recently fought Israel Adesanya in the main event of UFC 243, with the middleweight belts on the line.
Unfortunately, things did not end well for the Australian as he was knocked out by the ‘Last Stylebender’ in the second round.
Last week, it was announced that the former middleweight champion has withdrawn from his upcoming clash with Jared Cannonier due to personal reasons.
It turns out Whittaker pulled out of UFC 248 because he is set to donate his bone marrow to his sick daughter, as per initial report from The Sun.
The decision has earned the praises of MMA fans while message of support and love poured in for Whittaker and his family.
Most Unselfish
UFC president Dana White welcomed Whittaker’s decision and called it the ‘most unselfish things I’ve seen in my life.’
“Let me put it to you this way,” White saidwhen speaking to Submission Radio.
“That’s personal for Whittaker.”
“If Whittaker wants to talk about that, he can, but I’ll tell you this, when you talk about somebody whose priorities are in the right place, who is completely selfless and down to the core a good human being, that’s Robert Whittaker.”
“The reason Robert Whittaker is not fighting in this fight is one of the most unselfish things I’ve seen in my life.”
“He’s a good man, he’s a good human being, and I have a lot of respect for him.”
“Good luck to him in what he’s dealing with right now.”
“I can’t put into words and articulate how I feel about Robert Whittaker. He’s the real deal, man.”
‘Ignore Them’
Whittaker has taken to social media to address the ‘false rumors’ about his withdrawal from the UFC 248 line up and promised his fans that he will come back better and stronger.
“Thanks everyone for all the support & well wishes, lots of false rumors out there so please ignore them.”
“I have been off socials working with some personal matters and spending time with my family, i will back very soon, stronger & better than ever before. #alliswell #reapernation”
The Australian’s last MMA win came in June 2018, when he scored a split decision victory over Yoel Romero at UFC 225.
He also holds notable wins against Ronaldo Souza, Derek Brunson, Uriah Hall, and Brad Tavarez.
(Featured Image Source: Instagram/ Robert Whittaker)