Robert Whittaker rumours he is ‘out’ of UFC 248 main card to donate bone marrow to sick young daughter denied
THE RUMOURS ex-UFC champion Robert Whittaker reportedly pulled out of his next fight because he is donating bone marrow to his sick daughter have been denied.
The Australian fan-favourite was due to face Jared Cannonier at UFC 248 in March as he looks to bounce back after losing his middleweight belt to Israel Adesanya in October.
But it was claimed online the 29-year-old cancelled the fight to donate bone marrow to his baby daughter Lilliana - born in February 2018 - who has fallen sick.
However, Whittaker wrote alongside a caption of his daughter: "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"
UFC boss Dana White did not confirm the news, but the promoter described Whittaker’s decision as “unselfish” and “selfless”.
White told : “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.”
Whittaker said: "Apologies to all my friends and supporters but unfortunately I won't be competing on the UFC 248 fight card.
"There are a few other things going on in my life that I need to give priority to and sort out, so I have had to change my plans.
"But I'll be back soon, bigger and better than ever."
UFC news
Whittaker pulled out of his fight with Kelvin Gastelum in February 24 hours before the bout after being rushed to hospital with a hernia injury.
He returned seven months later but was knocked out in just two rounds by Adesanya, who coincidentally fights in the UFC 248 main-event against Yoel Romero.
British middleweight Darren Till was in talks to replace Whittaker in March, though it has emerged the 27-year-old has picked up an injury himself.
