News Summary
Reinier de Ridder edged past Robert Whittaker in a closely contested main event at UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi. The fight, characterized by intense exchanges and grappling, concluded with a split decision victory for de Ridder. This win improved his record to 21-2, while Whittaker fell to 27-9. Following the bout, de Ridder expressed his desire to challenge for the middleweight title, signaling his aspirations after maintaining an undefeated streak this year.
Abu Dhabi: Reinier de Ridder Edges Robert Whittaker in Close UFC Main Event
Reinier de Ridder secured a narrow split decision victory over Robert Whittaker in the main event of UFC Fight Night at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The highly anticipated middleweight matchup featured two of the division’s top contenders competing in an intense and closely contested fight, which ultimately highlighted de Ridder’s versatility and resilience.
Key Fight Details
- Fight outcome: Reinier de Ridder wins via split decision (48-47, 48-47, 47-48)
- Division: Middleweight (185 pounds, approximately 84 kg)
- Record post-fight: De Ridder’s record improves to 21 wins and 2 losses
- Whittaker’s record: 27 wins and 9 losses
Fight Summary
The bout was competitive throughout, with both fighters exchanging strikes and grappling sequences. Judges awarded de Ridder the victory, though one judge scored the fight in favor of Whittaker by the narrowest margin. Overall, de Ridder’s active striking and effective grappling in the final rounds proved decisive.
Round-by-Round Highlights
- In the third round, Whittaker managed to knock de Ridder down with a well-timed right hand to the chin, marking a pivotal moment in the fight. Despite this, Whittaker was unable to capitalize and secure a finishing sequence.
- De Ridder landed a total of 169 strikes during the fight, demonstrating significant activity and precision. Whittaker, in comparison, threw 100 strikes.
- The final two rounds saw de Ridder employing repeated knees to the body and grappling tactics that helped sway the judges in his favor.
Post-Fight Reactions and Future Plans
Following his victory, Reinier de Ridder expressed respect for Whittaker’s durability, describing him as “too tough” and highlighting his opponent’s striking power and resilience. With this win, de Ridder maintains an undefeated record in 2025 and marks his third victorious bout of the year, boosting his profile in the middleweight division.
De Ridder has called for a shot at the UFC middleweight title and intends to compete against the winner of the upcoming championship bout between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319. This ambition underscores his rising trajectory within the UFC’s middleweight rankings.
Additional Fight Results
- In the co-main event, former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan defeated Marcus McGhee by unanimous decision, adding a notable victory to his recent performances.
- In a middleweight contest, Shara Magomedov secured a unanimous decision win over Marc-Andre Barriault, further demonstrating the strength of the middleweight lineup at this event.
Event Context
The UFC Fight Night event in Abu Dhabi showcased high-level matchups across several divisions, emphasizing the organization’s focus on delivering competitive bouts and showcasing emerging and established talent. The event confirmed Reinier de Ridder’s status as a top contender and highlighted the deep talent pool present in the Middleweight division.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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 VIRGINIA BEACH WRITER
VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER The VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREVirginiaBeach.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach City, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, East Coast Surfing Championship, and the American Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Virginia Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visit Virginia Beach, plus leading businesses in tourism and defense that power the local economy such as the Virginia Beach Convention Center and Northrop Grumman. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.