Robert Whittaker’s comeback to the octagon following a severe injury in October ended in a narrow loss to Reinier De Ridder at UFC Abu Dhabi. The fight, marked by fierce exchanges and dramatic momentum shifts, concluded with a split decision victory for De Ridder, highlighting his rising status in the UFC middleweight division.
Whittaker, the former UFC middleweight champion, returned less than a year after suffering a brutal knockout at UFC 308 by Khamzat Chimaev. He faced Reinier De Ridder, the former ONE FC champion, who was riding an undefeated streak in his UFC debut season. De Ridder’s performance in this bout, coming off a knockout win over Bo Nickal, proved to be his toughest challenge so far and ultimately earned him a narrow win despite being knocked down during the fight.
Details of the Whittaker vs. De Ridder Bout at UFC Abu Dhabi
Both fighters entered the octagon aware that victory would significantly boost their chances of competing for the middleweight world title. De Ridder had established momentum with three successive wins since joining the UFC, while Whittaker aimed to reclaim his championship status.
The fight began with Whittaker quickly pressing forward, landing a sharp strike early and cutting De Ridder above the eye. The Australian showed speed and precision despite the noticeable size advantage of De Ridder, who frequently looked much larger during exchanges. Whittaker managed to get inside striking distance and inflicted damage, but De Ridder’s power remained a constant threat.
De Ridder’s knees were a key weapon, and he worked hard to secure takedowns throughout the match. In the second round, after slipping, Whittaker allowed De Ridder to land a significant strike before the Dutchman began landing heavy knees and eventually brought Whittaker to the canvas, ending the round in a dominant position on top.
The third round saw De Ridder starting to control the stand-up battle until Whittaker landed a counter right that floored him. Whittaker immediately pursued a ground-and-pound attack, but De Ridder was able to recover and rise back to his feet. Both fighters showed signs of damage and fatigue as they exchanged powerful strikes throughout the round, with De Ridder taking another takedown despite being rocked.
As the fight progressed into the fourth and fifth rounds, both competitors’ energy visibly waned. The earlier fast pace slowed as Whittaker’s jab began to be a notable obstacle for De Ridder, who nevertheless avoided the most damaging shots and countered effectively.
In the final moments, fatigue transformed the contest into a battle of endurance, with De Ridder appearing slightly less drained. However, Whittaker found renewed vigor in the last 90 seconds, trying to sway the judges with aggressive striking. The fight went the full five rounds and was turned over to the judges, who awarded De Ridder a split decision win by scores of 48-47 on two scorecards, while Whittaker received the same score on the third.
Whittaker Remains Driven by Desire for Dricus Du Plessis Rematch
Before the fight, Whittaker expressed his motivation for continuing his UFC career centered on a potential rematch with Dricus Du Plessis, who currently holds the middleweight title. Whittaker believes he can defeat Du Plessis and regain the championship.
“I’d like to fight him again,”
Whittaker told Ariel Helwani.
That would be the icing on the cake. Honestly, I do think I’m better than him. I think I’m better than everybody, even when I lose, right? It’s mainly that in our first pairing, I let myself down in that fight, and I want to correct that.
I didn’t have the right headspace to go and beat him. I want to correct that more than any of my other losses. That’s the fight I didn’t like feeling like that.
—Robert Whittaker, UFC Middleweight Fighter
The Fight’s Broader Significance in the Middleweight Division
Reinier De Ridder’s win over a seasoned former champion like Whittaker solidifies his rapid ascent within the UFC middleweight rankings and puts him in contention for a title shot. Whittaker’s resilience following a tough injury and tough loss also demonstrates his determination to remain competitive at the highest level.
The split decision reflects the close nature of the contest and suggests both fighters remain top contenders in a division that continues to shift. De Ridder’s success in neutralizing Whittaker’s speed and wearing down the veteran signals the arrival of a new serious challenger, while Whittaker’s hunger to redeem past losses keeps him relevant in matchmaking discussions.
Fans can expect both fighters to remain key figures in upcoming middleweight battles, with the possibility of Whittaker pursuing his desired rematch with Dricus Du Plessis to potentially reclaim the UFC championship title.