De Ridder Survived Whittaker’s Knockdown to Edge an Abu
Reinier de Ridder defeated Robert Whittaker by split decision in the UFC Abu Dhabi main event on July 26, 2025. Two judges scored the five-round middleweight contest 48–47 for de Ridder, while the third favored Whittaker by the same margin.
Whittaker’s speed met de Ridder’s persistent pressure
Whittaker defended the early takedown attempts and found opportunities with his faster striking. De Ridder kept trying to close distance, using step-in knees when he could not immediately establish his grappling.
The Dutchman gained more traction in the second round, landing knees and eventually securing top position. Strikes from half guard gave him a stronger finish to the frame.
A third-round knockdown threatened to change everything
De Ridder hurt Whittaker with a knee and a left hand, but the former champion answered with an overhand right that dropped him. Whittaker followed to the ground before de Ridder recovered and returned to his feet.
De Ridder resumed pressing forward, eventually securing another takedown and finishing the round on top. The exchanges captured the fight’s repeated shifts between Whittaker’s damaging counters and de Ridder’s physical pressure.
The last rounds left little separating them
Whittaker continued defending and escaping, while de Ridder relied on knees, clinches and renewed wrestling entries. Both remained active enough to leave the outcome uncertain at the final horn.
The verdict at Etihad Arena improved de Ridder to 4–0 in the UFC. He had already defeated Bo Nickal in his previous appearance and added a former middleweight champion to that opening run with the narrowest of decisions.
Sources
- Cageside Press: round-by-round momentum and four-fight UFC run
- UFC: July 26 venue and split-decision totals
- UFC: third-round knockdown and five-round contest
