AUSTRALIAN UFC star Robert Whittaker has pulled out of Perth’s UFC 221 in February, citing an undisclosed injury.

Whittaker, the UFA middleweight champion and Sydney father-of-two, was due to defend his title against American Luke Rockhold at the event at Perth Arena next month.

Instead, ESPN reports Rockold will now face Cuban Yoel Romero, with Whittaker likely to face the winner of that fight.

“I’m beyond disappointed that I’m unable to defend the title in my home country of Australia,” Whittaker said. “I hope the fans enjoy what should be a great night of fights at UFC 221 and I look forward to a recovery as soon as possible that will have me back in the Octagon to face the winner of the main event.”

Whittaker’s withdrawal is a huge blow to UFC 221, which had hoped to draw a huge crowd and pay-per-view audience based on the Aussie’s participation.