SYDNEY: Robert Whittaker, the former UFC middleweight champion and one of MMA's most tenacious athletes, recently disclosed the full extent of the dental injury he sustained in his UFC 308 fight against Khamzat Chimaev. The gruesome injury, caused by a neck crank submission, aggravated a long-standing vulnerability in Whittaker's lower teeth, a condition stemming from a childhood mandibular injury.
Whittaker shared that his bottom teeth have always been a weak point, admitting, “They’ve been pushed in before and never fully recovered.” While the submission applied by Chimaev ultimately forced Whittaker to tap, he emphasized that this recurring issue has plagued him in previous bouts as well.
Fans and analysts alike are now reflecting on the physical challenges MMA fighters endure, even those as seasoned as Whittaker, who has weathered battles with the likes of Yoel Romero and Israel Adesanya. Despite the setback, Whittaker remains optimistic about his recovery and potential return to the octagon.