Former UFC champion Robert Whittaker wasn’t thrilled that images of his ruptured jaw and teeth were shared with the world the night he lost to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308 in Salt Lake City.
Whittaker called out the culprit, former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, during his MMArcade Podcast.
Here is a screenshot of Cormier sharing the image.
While laughing and good-natured as he usually is, Whittaker made it known that Cormier was the one responsible for the picture being leaked online.
“I’m dirty at you, DC,” Whittaker said, laughing. “I’m dirty at you, bro. The doctor took a photo in the medivac, like, ‘I’m just gonna show Dana, just so they know what happened.’ Shows DC, and DC puts it everywhere. OK, he puts it everywhere. I am dirty, bro. Why do you have to do me like that, bro?”
Cormier has faced criticism for his commentary on fighters in the past, though he remains one of the most prominent voices in MMA.
Someone with less of a sense of humor and a less even-keeled personality might have been more sensitive about Cormier sharing the images. However, Whittaker is one of the most easygoing and likable fighters in the sport.
It was great to see him take it in stride, but usually, the worst injury pics come from the fighter themselves—if they’re shared at all.
During the podcast, Whittaker discussed what he’s been doing since the first-round submission loss to Chimaev. The submission collapsed Whittaker’s teeth, which led to surgery to have the bottom row removed.
Whittaker says something good came from the situation as doctors discovered a large cyst in his jaw that they said could have been contributing to repeated infections in his teeth.
According to Whittaker, he’s already back in the gym training. It’s been a month since the loss and only a short period since the surgery to remove his teeth. Nonetheless, he already has his sights set on changing some things with his approach.
Whittaker plans to return to the Octagon sometime in 2025, but he isn’t sure when, and he doesn’t have his sights set on an opponent yet. He’s currently ranked No. 4 in the middleweight division, and No. 2 Israel Adesanya is rumored to be headed for a fight with No. 6 Nassourdine Imavov in February.
Depending on the timelines, it makes sense to think that Whittaker could potentially fight the winner of that matchup. If it’s Adesanya, it would mean a rematch with another former world champion.
If it’s Imavov, Whittaker would face a rare challenge against a highly rated middleweight he hasn’t fought before. That’s not the only scenario for Whittaker.
No. 6 Caio Borralho is looking for an opponent after unsuccessfully campaigning to fight Adesanya. No. 7 Marvin Vettori could be making his Octagon return sometime in the next three to six months.
No. 8 Jared Cannonier is still a tough out, but he’s 40 years old. That’s a fight Whittaker would be favored to win too. There are several options for Whittaker once he’s ready to return, and it doesn’t seem as though the UFC will rush one of their most consistent fighters back into the Octagon before he’s ready.
