Last week, current UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker was forced to withdraw from February’s UFC Perth event with Dana White revealing some more concerning details in regards to Whittaker’s condition.
“He had staph infection in his stomach,” White told Aaron Bronsteter from Canada’s The Sports Network (TSN) following UFC 220 event in Boston
“From what I understand it wasn’t treated properly and started to eat away at parts of his organs. He’s in serious condition, so it’s going to be a minute before he’s back, I think. Hopefully it turns around quick, but you know that stuff is life threatening if not treated the right way.”
Staph Infection are caused by staphylococcus bacteria and most commonly found on the skin or in the nose, predominantly causing little problems or minor skin infections. It can spread easily in contact sports via skin-to-skin contact though commonly developed through food poisoning.
It becomes more serious when it invades into the body.
Whittaker was promoted to the undisputed UFC middleweight champion in December after Georges St-Pierrre vacated the belt due to his own medical condition. Whittaker was set to headline UFC 221 on February 11 at the Perth Arena against Luke Rockhold.
Whittaker had previously defeated Yoel Romero in July to win the UFC middleweight interim title.
Yoel Romero has stepped up to face Rockhold in the main event.
