One of the highlights of the 2024 UFC was Khamzat Chimaev effortlessly defeating former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in the first round.
Whittaker was expected to be Chimaev's toughest test, an experienced karate striker with a good wrestling background. This would all change if Chimaev took Whittaker down immediately, forcing one of the fastest tap-outs ever from a former champion with a nasty face crank.
Fans were stunned by the result until UFC 308 ended, and commentator Daniel Cormier shared a photo of Whittaker's flattened teeth as a result of Chimaev's choke. Despite fan sympathy for the quick outcome, Whittaker wasn't too happy with the image 'DC' shared.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
'I was super annoyed'…Robert Whittaker reveals injury photo wasn't supposed to be released
During the Ariel Helwani Show, Whittaker revealed his true emotions towards Cormier by showing his photo during the broadcast.
“I was super annoyed,” Whittaker said. “Because it was such a stupid thing to do. The doctor took a picture of my mouth and said, “I'm just going to show Dana [White] so he knows what's going on.'
“[…] I thought, 'Cool, do that.' And then DC took a picture of the other guy's phone to post all over social media, it's like… isn't that outrageous?'
“I was extremely annoyed. It's such a disgusting thing to do… DC took a picture of the other guy's phone to post all over social media… Isn't that outrageous?”
Robert Whittaker on DC posted about his mouth injury after UFC 308. pic.twitter.com/rS6trgKwaU
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) January 22, 2025
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Robert Whittaker's injury was a blessing in disguise
Speaking to MMA Arcade on November 26, Whittaker revealed that he had some teeth removed as a result of the injury. Ironically, doctors discovered a 'huge cyst' in his jaw, which could have caused his dental problems. “I haven't been able to bite an apple since I was 19,” he said.
😳🦷Robert Whittaker had teeth removed that were broken in the fight with Khamzat Chimaev:
“My teeth are always cracked. I haven't been able to bite an apple… So I got rid of them, they're gone.'
🎥 @MMArcadePodcast ▫️ pic.twitter.com/6xygCi3sIB
– House of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) November 26, 2024
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As for the timeline for the return, Whittaker's coach, Alex Prates, believes June 2025 is a realistic date. Prates told Sherdog that Whittaker could do all his regular training “but without contact” to allow the injury to heal.
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