News Summary
In a thrilling bout at UFC Abu Dhabi, Reinier de Ridder defeated Robert Whittaker by split decision in a close middleweight clash. The judges scored the fight 48-47 in favor of de Ridder, marking his fourth victory in the UFC and improving his record to 21 wins and 2 losses. Despite a knockdown by Whittaker in the third round, de Ridder controlled the later rounds with effective striking and knees. Following the match, he called for a title shot against the winner of the upcoming middleweight championship. This event further showcased Abu Dhabi’s significance in the UFC landscape.
Reinier de Ridder Secures Split Decision Victory Over Robert Whittaker at UFC Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi witnessed a thrilling main event at UFC Abu Dhabi, where Reinier de Ridder clinched a narrow split decision victory against Robert Whittaker in an intense middleweight clash. The fight took place at the Etihad Arena and was highlighted by a dramatic back-and-forth battle between the two skilled fighters.
Judges approved the outcome with scores of 48-47 for de Ridder by two judges, while one judge had it 48-47 in favor of Whittaker. With this result, de Ridder improved his professional record to 21 wins and 2 losses, while Whittaker’s record now stands at 27 wins and 9 losses. This victory marked de Ridder’s fourth win in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and maintained his undefeated status in 2025, marking his third victory of the year.
Throughout the match, de Ridder showcased his striking and grappling abilities, landing 169 strikes compared to Whittaker’s 100 strikes. Although Whittaker knocked de Ridder down in the third round with a powerful right hand to the chin, he was unable to capitalize on this moment and secure a definitive victory.
In the later rounds of the fight, de Ridder managed to take control by executing repeated knees to Whittaker’s body, which ultimately contributed to his success in those rounds. After the bout, de Ridder expressed his respect for Whittaker, commending his toughness and durability, noting that he found Whittaker to be “too tough” throughout their match.
Following the match, de Ridder called for a title shot, targeting the winner of the upcoming middleweight championship bout between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev, scheduled to take place at UFC 319.
Co-Main Event and Other Matches
The co-main event featured former UFC bantamweight champion, Petr Yan, who emerged victorious against Marcus McGhee by unanimous decision. This bout further highlighted the competitive nature of the card.
Additionally, in another significant middleweight encounter, Shara Magomedov claimed victory over Marc-Andre Barriault by unanimous decision, showcasing the depth and talent present at the event.
Event Significance
This fight card was part of a UFC Fight Night event in Abu Dhabi, a city that has consistently delivered high-profile matchups and has become an important location for the UFC. The success of this event underscores the continued growth and popularity of mixed martial arts as a global sport.
As the UFC calendar progresses and more events unfold, fans and fighters alike will be eagerly anticipating the outcomes of upcoming matches, particularly as de Ridder makes his case for a title shot in the middleweight division.
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Additional Resources
- USA Today: UFC Fight Night Whittaker vs. De Ridder
- Al Jazeera: De Ridder Beats Whittaker
- Sports Illustrated: UFC Abu Dhabi Full Card
- MMA Fighting: UFC Abu Dhabi Results
- Sherdog: UFC Abu Dhabi Play-by-Play Results
- Wikipedia: UFC Abu Dhabi
- Google Search: UFC Fight Results
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Mixed Martial Arts
- Google News: UFC
Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
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