Robert Whittaker To Undergo Hand Surgery

UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker picked up a split decision win over Yoel Romero in the main event of UFC 225.

The champion revealed through social media that he suffered a broken thumb in the first round of the non-title encounter, but now that broken thumb will require surgery.

“As soon as I get home, I’m going to have surgery to get a pin in the thumb,” Whittaker said on The MMA Hour. “It’s a clean break, as good as a break can get. It should be pretty good. I’m going to get surgery, going to get my rehab, and get strong. I really want to be fighting before the New Year.”

Whittaker seems to be cursed whenever he fights Romero, as the champion suffered a knee injury in their first encounter at UFC 213.

While the broken thumb occurred sometime in the first round of the bout, one thing Whittaker doesn’t remember is the exact time it happened.

“I don’t remember when I broke it,” Whittaker said. “But I do remember not being able to feel my hand from my fingertips to my forearm I knew something was up, because I never felt it like that before, I’ve broken hands before in fights, but I’ve never had it go that numb, completely unable to close it.”

There is no time frame yet for how long Whittaker is going to be out of action, but more should be known once surgery is completed.