Summary
Reinier de Ridder won a close fight against Robert Whittaker at UFC Abu Dhabi by split decision. De Ridder landed more strikes during the fight, helping him win the judges' votes. After his win, de Ridder asked for a title shot against the future middleweight champion.
Key Facts
- Reinier de Ridder defeated Robert Whittaker by split decision at UFC Abu Dhabi.
- Two judges scored the fight 48-47 for de Ridder, and one scored it 48-47 for Whittaker.
- De Ridder landed 169 total strikes, while Whittaker landed 100.
- De Ridder's record is now 21 wins and 2 losses.
- Robert Whittaker has lost two fights in a row and three of his last five fights.
- De Ridder aims for a middleweight title shot against the winner of Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev.
- In the same event, Petr Yan won against Marcus McGhee by unanimous decision.
- Shara Magomedov won against Marc-Andre Barriault by unanimous decision after his first professional loss.
