While that's just the way the cookie crumbles and shouldn't affect the judging, it is absurdly impressive. For what it's worth, I'm pretty sure Whittaker broke his hand in the first round.
So he fought Romero for four rounds with a broken hand. And the first time he fought him with a fucked knee.
It was such a close fight but I think the right guy won. Upon first watch it looks like Whittaker was in a lot more terrible than he was. He got hurt, obviously, but I don't think he was ever actually that close to being finished.
Regardless, Whittaker is an absolute beast.