Quote from Alex bobby on July 27, 2025, 10:59 AM

De Ridder Survives Knockdown to Edge Whittaker in Split Decision at UFC Abu Dhabi

 In a high-stakes showdown at the Etihad Arena on Saturday night, Reinier de Ridder proved grit and persistence can overcome experience and power, securing the most significant win of his UFC career. The Dutch middleweight narrowly defeated former champion Robert Whittaker via split decision in the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi, surviving a brutal knockdown and rallying back to dominate the later rounds.

The judges’ scorecards reflected the razor-thin nature of the contest. Two scored the fight 48-47 for De Ridder (21-2), while one saw it 48-47 in favour of Whittaker (27-9). The result marked De Ridder’s third victory in 2025 and his fourth overall in the UFC, catapulting him into title contention and shaking up the middleweight division.

A Gritty, Back-and-Forth Battle

Whittaker, a seasoned veteran and former champion, came out strong in the early rounds. In the second round, he dropped De Ridder with a powerful right hand that sent shockwaves through the crowd. For a moment, it looked as though Whittaker might cruise to another highlight-reel win. But De Ridder showed remarkable composure, surviving the flurry and regaining control with his trademark grappling and clinch pressure.

What De Ridder lacked in flash, he made up for with relentless efficiency. According to official UFC stats, De Ridder outs-truck Whittaker 169 to 100 over the course of five rounds. He wore down the 34-year-old Australian with repeated knees to the body and constant grappling exchanges that limited Whittaker’s movement and offence.

By rounds four and five, it was clear the momentum had shifted. De Ridder’s pressure had started to break Whittaker’s rhythm, and his ground control and clinch work were piling up points in the judges' eyes.

A Controversial Yet Defining Win

While the decision was met with mixed reactions from fans and analysts, few could deny that De Ridder had earned his place among the top contenders in the division.

“It was a war,” De Ridder said in his post-fight interview. “Robert’s a legend, but I believed in my game, and I stuck to it. I knew if I survived the early storm, I could grind him down.”

Whittaker, visibly disappointed, offered no excuses. “It was close. I thought I did enough,” he said. “But credit to Rainier — he kept coming and made it a dogfight.”

What’s Next: Title Ambitions

Entering the fight ranked 13th, De Ridder wasted no time calling for a title shot. With the middleweight championship bout between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev set for UFC 319 on August 16, De Ridder made his intentions clear.

“I want to finish a guy in the first round, so maybe it would be better if I fought Khamzat or Dricus,” De Ridder said. “Give me my title shot.”

It’s a bold challenge, but one that seems earned after toppling a former champion in Whittaker, who has now lost two straight and three of his last five — a stark downturn for a fighter long seen as one of the most consistent forces at 185 pounds.

Co-Main Event: Yan Dominates McGhee

In the co-main event, former bantamweight champion Peter Yan returned to form with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Marcus McGhee. Yan looked sharp from the opening bell, outpacing McGhee in every major statistical category — including total strikes, significant strikes, control time, and takedowns.

Yan (17-5) had entered the bout on a three-fight skid, raising questions about his long-term prospects. But Saturday’s performance reminded fans of the precision, timing, and cardio that once made him champion. All three judges scored the fight in his favour, reaffirming his place among the bantamweight elite.

Magomedov Rebounds Strong

Another standout performance came from Shara Magomedov, who bounced back from the first loss of his professional career — a February defeat to Michael “Venom” Page — with a clean sweep on the scorecards against Marc-Andre Barriault.

Magomedov looked sharp and composed throughout the middleweight bout, using his speed, angles, and pressure to keep Barriault on the defensive. All three judges scored the fight 30-27, marking a confident return to form for the rising Russian contender.

Final Thoughts

UFC Abu Dhabi delivered in every way — elite-level performances, shocking momentum swings, and major implications for the middleweight title picture. Reinier de Ridder’s win over Robert Whittaker wasn’t just a personal milestone — it may have shifted the entire division’s landscape.

While questions remain about Whittaker’s future, De Ridder made a clear statement: he’s ready for the big stage, and he’s coming for the belt.

Conclusion:
With a gutsy comeback and relentless grappling, Reinier de Ridder claimed his biggest UFC win yet, sending a message to the division’s top contenders. Whether it’s Chimaev or Du Plessis next, the Dutch fighter has earned his shot — and the middleweight division just got a whole lot more interesting.

Meta Description:
Reinier de Ridder survives an early knockdown and out-strikes former champion Robert Whittaker to earn a narrow split decision win at UFC Abu Dhabi, calling for a title shot next.