Reinier de Ridder claimed a hard-fought split decision win against Robert Whittaker in the main event at UFC Abu Dhabi on July 26. The intense showdown unfolded at the Etihad Arena in the United Arab Emirates, captivating fans as both fighters exchanged striking and grappling on the night. De Ridder’s victory was finalized by judges’ scores of 48-47, 48-47, and 47-48 after five rounds, showcasing the narrow margin in this competitive encounter.
Fight Details: Early Exchanges and Tactical Wrestling
The bout began with De Ridder aggressively seeking a takedown, catching Whittaker’s kick early and attempting to bring the fight to the mat. Whittaker demonstrated excellent counter wrestling, managing to stay upright while fending off De Ridder’s grip and creating separation. Whittaker’s hands were intentionally kept low as he employed sharp counterpunches, landing several clean shots that pushed De Ridder backward.
De Ridder tried to close distance using jabs while setting up takedown attempts, though Whittaker’s quick hand speed and superior defense thwarted many of these efforts. Notably, Whittaker landed a precise jab followed by a left hook as De Ridder advanced. Despite De Ridder’s consistent jab counters, Whittaker’s right hand marked the round’s defining strikes. Analysts scored the round 10-9 in favor of Whittaker.
Growing Pressure and Control in the Middle Rounds
In the second round, De Ridder increased his aggression, connecting with a winging left that momentarily unsettled Whittaker. Several takedown attempts were repelled by Whittaker, but De Ridder managed a successful takedown midway through the round. He maintained top control for nearly two minutes, working to pass Whittaker’s butterfly guard and employing light ground-and-pound strikes. Whittaker was not in immediate danger but faced pressure from the advancing De Ridder.
The round was scored 10-9 for De Ridder, evening the fight overall at 19-19. Both fighters had demonstrated their strengths, with Whittaker’s striking and takedown defense offset by De Ridder’s persistent grappling and pressure.
Momentum Swings with Knockdown and Ground Control
The third round began with quick exchanges as Whittaker threw a combination, but De Ridder avoided the damage and countered with knees to the body. A dramatic moment occurred when Whittaker landed a powerful overhand right, dropping De Ridder to the canvas. Whittaker aggressively followed with ground-and-pound, seeking the finish, but De Ridder’s resilience kept him in the fight. The two returned to standing positions soon after.
De Ridder then executed a well-timed takedown, placing Whittaker on his back with over two minutes remaining. He worked towards half guard and briefly secured side control while delivering punches, though Whittaker effectively limited the damage. Given the knockdown and activity, the round was scored 10-9 in favor of Whittaker, resulting in a 29-28 lead going into the fourth.
De Ridder’s Persistent Wrestling Challenges Whittaker on the Fence
Round four saw De Ridder immediately pushing for takedowns and pinning Whittaker against the cage. Whittaker tried repeatedly to break free, but De Ridder’s smothering pressure and body strikes dominated the grappling exchanges. Both fighters displayed fatigue as the pace slowed and punches lost their sharpness. Despite mixed striking moments, De Ridder’s control earned him the round on the scorecards.
With the round scored 10-9 for De Ridder, the fight was tied at 38-38 going into the decisive final round, underscoring the evenly matched contest.
Final Round: Whittaker’s Resilience and Tactical Defense
Entering the fifth, Whittaker appeared energized with confident movement and quick counters. He landed a jab and counter punch before De Ridder attempted several takedowns, all of which Whittaker skillfully defended. The fighters traded control along the fence and in the center of the octagon, with De Ridder persistently tying Whittaker up and landing knees to the body.
Whittaker responded with body punches and maintained sharp striking despite both fighters showing signs of wear. In the closing moments, Whittaker continued to counter while De Ridder attempted one final takedown, which was defended. The round went to Whittaker by the judges, resulting in a 48-47 score in his favor on the card that was ultimately outvoted.
Importance of This Outcome and Its Effect on Middleweight Contention
This closely contested battle highlighted both fighters’ strengths—Whittaker’s sharp striking and takedown defense against De Ridder’s grappling prowess and toughness. Reinier de Ridder’s win at UFC Abu Dhabi moves him closer to solidifying his place among the top contenders in the middleweight division. Meanwhile, Robert Whittaker remains eager to reclaim a title opportunity.
Fans can expect both competitors to remain influential figures in forthcoming UFC events, with the razor-thin margin of this encounter underscoring the depth and competitiveness among middleweight fighters.
“Robert Whittaker wants to propel himself back into middleweight championship contention #UFCAbuDhabi | LIVE NOW on TNT Sports 2 and discovery+” — UFC on TNT Sports
“Reinier de Ridder is looking to go four unbeaten since arriving in the UFC #UFCAbuDhabi | LIVE NOW on TNT Sports 2 and discovery+” — UFC on TNT Sports