Robert Whittaker blasts 'scummy' Daniel Cormier for leaking photo after Khamzat Chimaev loss

01/23/2025 05:09 AM

One of the UFC’s top highlights of 2024 was seeing Khamzat Chimaev effortlessly submit former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in the first round.

Whittaker was expected to be Chimaev’s toughest test, an experienced Karate striker with a good wrestling background. This would all change when Chimaev took Whittaker down immediately, forcing one of the quickest tap-outs fans ever seen from a former champion with a nasty face crank.

Fans were bewildered by the result until UFC 308 concluded, and commentator Daniel Cormier shared a photo of Whittaker’s flattened teeth due to Chimaev’s choke. Despite fan sympathy for the quick result, Whittaker wasn’t so happy with the image shared by ‘DC.’

‘I was super annoyed’ … Robert Whittaker reveals the injury photo wasn’t meant to be released

Speaking on the Ariel Helwani Show, Whittaker revealed his true emotions towards Cormier showing the broadcast his photo.

“I was super annoyed,” Whittaker said. “Because it was such a scummy thing to do. The doctor took a photo of my mouth, and said, ‘I’m just gonna go and show Dana [White] so that he knows what’s up.’

“[…] I was like, ‘Cool, do that.’ And then DC took a photo of the other guy’s phone to post all over socials, it’s like… is that not scummy?”

Robert Whittaker’s injury was a blessing in disguise

Speaking to MMA Arcade on November 26, Whittaker revealed that he had some teeth removed as a result of the injury. Ironically enough, doctors discovered a “massive cyst” in his jaw, which could have been causing his teeth problems. “I haven’t been able to bite down on an apple since I was 19,” he said.

As for a return timeline, Whittaker’s coach, Alex Prates, believes June 2025 is a realistic date. Prates told Sherdog that Whittaker could do all his regular training “but without contact” to allow the injury to heal.