The newly-crowned middleweight champion was supposed to make the first defence of his 185lbs crown at the promotion’s second pay-per-view card of the year, which takes place in Australia on February 11.

However, injury has forced the Aussie off the UFC’s first visit to Perth.

Luke Rockhold, the man tasked with ending Whittaker’s brief reign as middleweight king, will now face Yoel Romero for the interim 185lbs title.

Whittaker is bitterly disappointed to have been forced to withdraw from his first title defence and conveyed his sadness in an Instagram post earlier today.

“I would like to apologize to all my supporters and fans of MMA for not being able to put on the show you deserve,” the 26-year-old wrote. 

“I’ve been ruled medically unable to compete and wont be able to defend on home soil. 

“This card meant so much to me and I'm devastated for not being able to fight. 

“All I can do is focus on getting healthy to come back better than ever.

“All the best to Yoel and Luke for their fight and ill be waiting.”

UFC 221 takes places at the Perth Arena in Perth, Australia on February 11 and is headlined by an interim middleweight title fight between former 185lbs champion Luke Rockhold and Yoel Romero.