Robert Whittaker & Kelvin Gastelum Issue Statements On UFC 234 Main Event Cancellation

UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker was scheduled to defend the gold against Kelvin Gastelum in the main event of UFC 234, but a severe abdominal injury lead to Whittaker getting emergency surgery and the fight being canned.

Whittaker, via his fight team, would take to Instagram to issue a statement on the champion’s withdraw:

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A post shared by Robert Whittaker (@robwhittakermma) on Feb 9, 2019 at 8:04pm PST

Gastelum, who walked around backstage at the event and was seen on camera with a title belt, would take to Instagram to issue a statement on the craziness surrounding the event:

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With much sorrow I write that my fight for the middleweight title is off. I’m sorry to everyone that was expecting this great fight, Family , friends and followers from around the world. God has a reason for doing things and I firmly believe his plans are much bigger and better than I can even imagine. I’m so torn about this situation. A lifetime of pursuit to be able to reach this level and I hope none of these efforts will go in vain. #andnew #OnAmission4Gold

A post shared by Kelvin Gastelum (@kgastelum) on Feb 9, 2019 at 1:46pm PST

There is no word yet on if the bout will get rescheduled or if the fighters will go their separate way, but Whittaker needs at least four weeks to recover from the surgery.