Robert Whittaker Injury Update
Robert Whittaker suffered a serious facial injury during his October 2024 bout against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308. In that fight, a brutal face crank submission crushed several of his lower teeth and fractured his jaw, an injury that required both surgery and a lengthy recovery period. Despite the severity, Whittaker has fully healed and is set for his comeback on July 26, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, determined and optimistic about returning to the top of the UFC’s middleweight division.
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Whittaker Teeth Injury
Robert Whittaker’s tooth injury occurred during his October 2024 fight against Khamzat Chimaev, where a face crank submission crushed several of his lower teeth and fractured his jaw. He required immediate dental surgery followed by multiple implants to replace the damaged and dislodged teeth.
Recovery involved both time off from training and specialized dental care, with his jaw and teeth wired for stability before surgery provided a permanent solution. Whittaker recently confirmed he is fully healed, feels better than ever, and is ready to return to the Octagon, debuting his recovery at UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi on July 26, 2025.
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Robert Whittaker Jaw X-ray
Post-fight, X-rays vividly showed the extent of Whittaker’s jaw and dental injuries: his front lower teeth had been crushed and forced backward from the submission hold. The X-ray images became viral in the MMA community, highlighting the violence of the injury and the resilience required for recovery. His jaw injury necessitated that his teeth and jaw be wired together for stability before surgery provided a permanent fix.
Robert Whittaker Jaw
The jaw injury from the Chimaev match was not Whittaker’s first health scare. In 2019, he also suffered a near-fatal abdominal hernia that forced him to withdraw from UFC 234. However, the most recent jaw fracture was both highly publicized and medically challenging. Whittaker’s successful recovery is a testament to his physical and mental resilience, and he claims to now be “better than before” after the ordeal.
Robert Whittaker Recent News
Whittaker makes his high-profile comeback on July 26, 2025, at UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi. This bout is considered crucial for another title shot, especially after recovering from his jaw and dental injuries sustained last year.
Whittaker recently shared that his recovery is “complete” and credits his team and medical support for getting him back to full strength. With a revitalized outlook and years of championship experience, Whittaker remains a top contender targeting one final run at UFC gold.
Robert Whittaker Height
Robert Whittaker is 6'0" (183cm) tall, with a reach of 73.5 inches (187cm). This places him well within the average for middleweight fighters—allowing him to blend agility, striking power, and solid reach to great effect inside the Octagon.
Who is Robert Whittaker?
Robert Whittaker is a New Zealand-born, Australian-raised mixed martial artist, famous for being the first Australian UFC Champion. Nicknamed “The Reaper,” he debuted in the UFC in 2012 after winning The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes.
Whittaker has headlined multiple UFC events, held the undisputed middleweight title, and is highly respected for his fighting spirit and technical skill. Outside the cage, he’s known as a dedicated family man and a trailblazer for Oceanic fighters in global MMA.
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Image Credit: robwhittakermma(Instagram)
FAQs
What caused Robert Whittaker’s latest injury?
He suffered jaw and dental injuries during a submission loss to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308 in October 2024.
Is Robert Whittaker fighting again?
Yes, he returns to headline UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi on July 26, 2025, against Reinier de Ridder.
How severe was his jaw injury?
The injury was severe enough to require surgery, multiple teeth implants, and months of recovery, but Whittaker is now fully healed.
