Graeme McDonnell 
UFC announced tonight that Georges St-Pierre has vacated the UFC’s middleweight championship and that interim champion Robert Whittaker has been promoted to the champion.
Newly crowned UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker will face Luke Rockhold in the main event at UFC 221.
Robert Whittaker has indeed been promoted to undisputed UFC middleweight champion, per UFC. https://t.co/54pYIcYect
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) December 8, 2017
GSP returned from his long hiatus from the sport and won the UFC middleweight belt by defeating Michael Bisping via rear naked choke in the 3rd round at UFC 217 last month but has relenquished the belt after he has diagnosed with ulcerative colitis.
St-Pierre decided to vacate the title after being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. He informed the UFC of his decision a couple of days ago. That’s why they moved to book Whittaker-Rockhold, which we reported earlier.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) December 8, 2017
Whittaker (19-4) defeated Yoel Romero by unanimous decision over five rounds to win the interim UFC middleweight strap in his last outing at UFC 213 back in July 2017.
Last time out Rockhold (16-3) submitted David Branch due to strikes at UFC Fight Night 116: Rockhold vs. Branch in September 2017 to bounce back after losing his UFC middleweight title to Michael Bisping back in June 2016.
UFC 221 is set to take place on 10th February 2018 at The Perth Arena in Perth, Australia.
🇦🇺 Perth, we've got a main event!!
GSP vacates, 🏆 @RobWhittakerMMA defends the title against @LukeRockhold at #UFC221 Feb. 10!
FULL STORY ➡️ https://t.co/LeaXU08tsa
Pre-register ➡️ https://t.co/CWkOKi23qs pic.twitter.com/MALbQbkD0w— UFC (@ufc) December 8, 2017
