Reinier de Ridder remained undefeated within the UFC with a hard-fought cut up choice victory over former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in a grueling five-round affair.
Whereas he did get completely bombed with a punch that knocked him to the bottom within the third spherical, de Ridder confirmed off some spectacular grappling and managed to harm Whittaker a number of instances with some nasty knees to the physique. Mix that along with his capability to regulate the space and outwork Whittaker within the clinch and that was sufficient for de Ridder to safe the win within the UFC Abu Dhabi predominant occasion.
The ultimate scorecards had two judges going 48-47 for de Ridder and the third official at 48-47 for Whittaker. Nonetheless that was sufficient for de Ridder to get the nod as he strikes to 4-0 contained in the octagon.
“Very shut,” de Ridder mentioned in regards to the struggle. “I don’t wish to struggle like this. This man was too powerful. I wish to end a man within the first spherical, it will be significantly better.
“So perhaps Khamzat [Chimaev]-Dricus [du Plessis] subsequent. Give me an opportunity to struggle for that strap.”
It was a warfare of attrition throughout all 5 rounds with each fighters gasping for air at instances however de Ridder’s workrate and talent to do harm on the toes needed to be recommended.
When the motion began, it was Whittaker fast on the assault whereas de Ridder countered with a takedown try because the middleweights battled for place. After separating, Whittaker fired off a fast left-right mixture and de Ridder already had a reduce over his eye as he began working off his again foot.
A proper hand from Whittaker was coming at de Ridder like a laser and he was connecting at will. When he lastly closed the space, de Ridder did join with a thudding knee to Whittaker’s physique however the former champion got here proper again at him with one other stinging mixture of punches.
Whereas de Ridder was discovering a house for his strikes at time, Whittaker was nonetheless snapping off the higher punches. However de Ridder stayed dedicated to that knee up the center and he blasted Whittaker with a few onerous pictures that positively did some harm.
That led to de Ridder’s first takedown as he acquired on prime of Whittaker the place he was peppering away with punches and making an attempt to advance his place.
“I anticipated to take him down and choke him out,” de Ridder mentioned about his efficiency. “However he was wonderful. So powerful, so sturdy.”
At first of spherical three, de Ridder clipped Whittaker with a slick mixture that had him on wobbly legs. Instantly, de Ridder rushed ahead making an attempt to get the end however as a substitute he was met with an enormous overhand proper from Whittaker that dropped him to the canvas.
Whittaker went down with de Ridder and started hammering away with elbows however the Dutch middleweight resisted sufficient to outlive. After the fighters labored again to the toes, de Ridder recovered sufficient to then land one other takedown on Whittaker, who was equally as exhausted after a frantic alternate.
As time handed, de Ridder was in a position to shut the space with slightly extra ease however Whittaker was nonetheless resisting effectively to keep away from the takedown. The fighters have been exchanging jabs as Whittaker appeared to get a second wind however then de Ridder related with one other damaging knee to the physique.
A really shut struggle gave with the ultimate 5 minutes as de Ridder as soon as once more tried to press Whittaker in opposition to the cage whereas on the lookout for the takedown. Whittaker defended effectively however stored discovering himself in that very same place with out producing numerous offense of his personal.
When the fighters separated, Whittaker tried to throw some combos with de Ridder coming again at him with extra of the knees up the center and a slick jab behind it. The struggle closed with de Ridder urgent Whittaker in opposition to the cage once more as time expired.
The result clearly wasn’t what Whittaker wished as he drops his second straight struggle following a submission loss to Khamzat Chimaev in his earlier outing.
“Fairly butt damage to be trustworthy,” Whittaker mentioned reacting to the loss. “He did what he mentioned he was going to do. The strain was lots. He has numerous ability units. He walked away a winner. Good on him.”
The win places de Ridder in a main place within the division with reigning champion Dricus du Plessis defending his belt in opposition to Chimaev at UFC 319. Now de Ridder has to await the result of that struggle together with Nassourdine Imavov vs. Caio Borralho at UFC Paris in September to probably decide who will get the subsequent alternative on the title.
