Reinier de Ridder edged out former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker by split decision on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, maintaining his unbeaten streak in the promotion and strengthening his standing in the race for a UFC title shot. Despite questions surrounding the judges’ decision, especially given Whittaker’s near finish in the fourth round and heavy clinching, de Ridder has positioned himself as a serious contender for the middleweight crown.
De Ridder Prepared to Wait Amid Growing Activity in Middleweight Rankings
Though eager for a championship opportunity, de Ridder is willing to wait and observe the evolving middleweight division before pushing for a title fight. Several key bouts are scheduled soon that could clarify the division’s hierarchy. Dricus du Plessis is set to face Khamzat Chimaev in three weeks, while Anthony Hernandez takes on Roman Dolidze a week earlier, developments that de Ridder believes will shape future matchups.
“We’ll see what happens,” de Ridder said during the UFC Abu Dhabi post-fight press conference.
“There’s a lot going on in the middleweight division in the next couple of weeks. As you said, I’m a top-five fighter in the world. That’s crazy. Who can say that in one year? And I think I have a good chance [of] fighting for a title someday soon. We’ll see.”
De Ridder Reflects on the Challenge of Facing Whittaker
De Ridder acknowledged that the fight against Whittaker proved tougher than he initially expected, and though he intended to finish the former champion, he fell short of that goal. His confidence remains strong, however, as he aims to finish his next opponent decisively.
I thought I had three rounds at least,
de Ridder said.
But it is what it is. I hoped to finish him and I didn’t, so you never know what the judges make of it. I’ll be sure to finish the next guy again.”
With his record now at 21 wins and 2 losses, de Ridder has not been defeated since March of the previous year during his tenure with ONE Championship, reinforcing his credentials as a rising force in the UFC middleweight division.
Upcoming Fights Could Reshape the Middleweight Landscape
The upcoming matches involving prominent contenders like du Plessis, Chimaev, Hernandez, and Dolidze promise to intensify competition and offer clearer insight into who will challenge for the UFC middleweight title. This surge of activity means de Ridder’s patient approach may pay off, as the division’s shifting dynamics open paths to a championship opportunity.
As the middleweight division heats up, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely how these developments influence the order of contenders. De Ridder’s poised stance, combined with his undefeated UFC record, keeps him positioned for a potential future title fight when the timing aligns.