De Ridder Defeats Whittaker by Split Decision UFC Abu Dhabi

Reinier de Ridder defeated Robert Whittaker by split decision at UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi, solidifying his status as a top middleweight contender. De Ridder outstruck Whittaker significantly, landing 169 total strikes to Whittaker's 100, and controlled the fight for over nine minutes despite Whittaker's strong takedown defense. Whittaker had a notable moment in the third round when he dropped de Ridder with a counter right hand and nearly finished him on the ground, but de Ridder survived and won the final rounds. De Ridder's grappling and pressure proved decisive, as he maintained consistent control time and inflicted damage with knees and strikes. The bout marked Whittaker's first fight of 2025 and his first back-to-back loss, while de Ridder continued his breakout year with his third fight and win of the year. The event, held at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, was broadcast on ABC and ESPN, showcasing a competitive fight card.