Robert Whittaker is handling the toughest loss of his career with resilience following UFC 308. The former UFC middleweight champion (26-8 MMA, 17-6 UFC) faced his quickest defeat in the division on Saturday when Khamzat Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) took him down and executed a brutal submission that resulted in significant damage to Whittaker’s teeth in the first round at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
Post-fight images revealed severe damage to Whittaker’s mouth, with his teeth displaced unnaturally due to the submission maneuver, leading many to believe he sustained a serious injury. However, Whittaker’s attitude suggests he views the situation as more of a minor setback. In his first statement after the fight, he confirmed that while his teeth were damaged, he did not suffer a broken jaw.
“It’s a tough gig sometimes but that’s the business,” Whittaker stated on Instagram. “Big congratulations to Khamzat, he was the better man tonight and that’s all there is to it. I felt great, everything was on point and I was ready. My jaw is good, but my teeth were moved in. It’s a good excuse to fix them properly now.”
Despite falling short of his goal to defeat Chimaev and move closer to reclaiming the 185-pound title, Whittaker remains undeterred. The 33-year-old expressed his desire to return to the octagon soon but plans to prioritize recovery and quality time with his wife, children, and family before contemplating his next move.
“I’m disappointed, but I come back better from every setback and every challenge so this is no different,” Whittaker remarked. “I want to thank my team and everyone who supported me to get here. Time to go spend time with the family for a bit. Be back soon.”