Reinier de Ridder Eyes Title Fight After Narrow UFC Abu Dhabi Win

Reinier de Ridder has rapidly established himself as a top contender in the UFC middleweight division, extending his undefeated UFC streak to 4-0 with a split decision victory over former champion Robert Whittaker at UFC Abu Dhabi. Despite the close fight and Whittaker's toughness, de Ridder used his grappling and striking abilities effectively, marking his first win over a former UFC titleholder. Following the fight, de Ridder expressed his desire to face the winner of the upcoming middleweight title bout between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev, even offering to be a backup fighter for the championship. He also called out Paulo Costa for a fight at Madison Square Garden in November, taking jabs at Costa's inactivity and previous performances. Looking ahead, de Ridder named former two-time UFC champion Israel Adesanya as his dream opponent for a potential first title defense, emphasizing his ambition to secure a title shot soon and achieve more decisive finishes. His continued success and strategic targeting of top contenders signal his intent to claim the UFC middleweight title in the near future.