Well, that was something else. If you tuned into UFC Abu Dhabi on July 27, 2025, you witnessed an absolute grinder of a main event. Reinier de Ridder, the Dutch grappling ace, just pulled off the biggest win of his UFC career, edging out the legendary former middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker, in a nail-biting split decision. The fight, held at the Etihad Arena, was a grueling five-round chess match that left fans and judges divided, but ultimately, it was de Ridder who got his hand raised.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Reinier de Ridder secured a narrow split decision victory over former champion Robert Whittaker at UFC Abu Dhabi.
- ✓ The final scorecards were tight, with two judges scoring it 48-47 for de Ridder and one scoring it 48-47 for Whittaker.
- ✓ De Ridder survived a brutal knockdown in the third round after being dropped by a powerful right hand from Whittaker.
- ✓ Statistically, de Ridder out-landed Whittaker with 169 total strikes to 100 and had over nine minutes of control time.
- ✓ After the fight, de Ridder called for a title shot against the winner of the upcoming Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev bout.
A Five-Round War of Attrition
Going into this fight, many people had a clear picture of how it would go. De Ridder, a submission specialist with 14 of his 21 wins coming that way, would look for the takedown, and Whittaker, with his world-class striking and takedown defense, would try to keep it standing. What we got was a messy, exhausting, and totally compelling battle that tested every ounce of their will. For five rounds, these two were practically inseparable, trading blows and fighting for control against the fence.
The fight stats tell a fascinating story. According to the official UFC numbers, de Ridder landed a whopping 169 total strikes compared to Whittaker's 100. He also dominated the control aspect, logging just over nine minutes of control time, constantly pressing Whittaker against the cage and wearing him down with knees to the body. Yet, Whittaker’s defense was on full display, as he successfully stuffed 13 of de Ridder’s 15 takedown attempts. It was a classic clash of persistence versus resistance.
The most heart-stopping moment came in the third round. Whittaker, the fan-favorite Aussie, landed a picture-perfect counter right hand that sent de Ridder crashing to the canvas. For a second, it looked like the fight was over. Whittaker swarmed, looking for the finish, but somehow, de Ridder weathered the storm, survived the onslaught, and managed to get back into the fight. It was a pure display of grit that likely won him the fight in the end.
What This Upset Means for the Middleweights
This win is massive for Reinier de Ridder. He came into this fight ranked No. 13 in the division, taking on the No. 5 ranked former champion. It was a huge step up in competition, and he passed the test, albeit by the slimmest of margins. This victory marks his fourth in the UFC and an incredible third win in 2025 alone, following a submission over Kevin Holland in January and a knockout of Bo Nickal in May. It’s been a breakout year for the Dutchman.
With a win like this under his belt, de Ridder wasted no time making his intentions clear. He immediately called for a title shot against the winner of the upcoming championship fight between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev, which is set for UFC 319 on August 16. "I want to finish a guy in the first round," he stated, "so maybe it would be better if I fought Khamzat or Dricus. Give me my title shot." It’s a bold call, but after beating a guy like Whittaker, he’s certainly in the conversation.
On the flip side, this is a tough pill to swallow for Robert Whittaker. The 34-year-old has now lost two fights in a row for the first time since 2013, with his last loss coming via submission to Khamzat Chimaev in October. He’s now lost three of his last five, and while he’s still an elite fighter, he’ll have to do some regrouping to get back into title contention. No one can ever question his heart or skill, but the middleweight division is a shark tank, and momentum is everything.
A Stacked Night in Abu Dhabi
While the main event stole the headlines, the rest of the card delivered some great action as well. In the co-main event, former bantamweight champion Petr Yan got a much-needed win, defeating Marcus McGhee by a dominant unanimous decision. Yan looked sharp, outpacing McGhee in strikes, control, and takedowns to get himself back in the win column. It was a vintage performance from the Russian striker.
Another notable middleweight, Shara Magomedov, also had a successful night. He bounced back from his first-ever professional loss to Michael Page back in February by securing a clean unanimous decision win over Marc-Andre Barriault. The judges were all in agreement, scoring it 30-27 across the board for Magomedov, who put on a clinical performance. The rest of the card featured a solid mix of up-and-comers and established veterans, making for a memorable night of fights in the UAE.
Conclusion
When the dust settled in Abu Dhabi, Reinier de Ridder emerged as a legitimate title contender in the 185-pound division. His victory over a warrior like Robert Whittaker wasn't just about grappling; it was about pressure, volume, and an unbreakable will to win, especially after surviving that third-round scare. It was a fight that reminded us just how thin the margins are at the elite level of MMA.
With de Ridder now calling for a championship opportunity and Whittaker facing a tough road back, the middleweight landscape has been completely shaken up. The entire night was a testament to the drama and unpredictability that makes this sport so captivating. One thing is for sure: the middleweight division just got a whole lot more interesting.
💬 We'd love to hear your thoughts! Join the charcha—keep it friendly, fun, and respectful.