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Whittaker OUT of UFC 234 after being taken to hospital

UFC 234 in Melbourne has been plunged into chaos with Australian middleweight champion Robert Whittaker pulling out of the event at the eleventh hour.

In a massive blow to the fight card, the Aussie has been forced out of the main event due to a hernia suffered the night before his fight against Kevin Gastelum.

ESPN’s Brett Okamoto confirmed the news hours before the Aussie was set to take to the octagon.

Whittaker’s withdrawal is a huge blow to UFC 234. Pic: Getty
Whittaker’s withdrawal is a huge blow to UFC 234. Pic: Getty

“He was taken to hospital and diagnosed with a hernia,” Okamoto revealed.

“It wasn’t a weight-cutting related issue or anything like that, it’s just a very unfortunate hernia issue which may even require a procedure.”

With next to no time to find a replacement for Whittaker in the Australian showpiece, UFC 234 will now likely feature a fight between Anderson Silva and Israel Adesanya as the main event.

Silva, who is officially 1-4-1 in his last six fights, is returning from a two-year hiatus from fighting due to failed drug tests.

The loss of Whittaker will certainly be a massive disappointment for many fans with UFC 234 tickets.

The event was scheduled to take place in Melbourne, with the 28-year-old the first Australian to hold a UFC belt.

Whittaker was supposed to be fighting for just the third time in a little over three years.

The Aussie has fought just once since winning his interim title, struggling with a knee injury and a staph infection.

Whittaker was relishing his fight against Gastelum. Pic: Getty
Whittaker was relishing his fight against Gastelum. Pic: Getty

Whittaker was hoping his health woes were behind him and said before he was ruled out that he was relishing the test Gastelum posed.

“Kelvin is the biggest hurdle in my way, and he’s a true test,” Whittaker said.

“He’s going to be a true test of my character and my abilities. I look forward to learning something from it and growing.”