Reinier de Ridder and Robert Whittaker had the MMA world on the sting of their seats in Saturday’s UFC Abu Dhabi essential occasion.
Ultimately, it was de Ridder who emerged victorious with a pair of 48-47 scores to earn a break up choice win after 5 tightly contested rounds that went right down to the wire. The headlining bout noticed each fighters exhibit their abilities, with Whittaker hurting de Ridder badly with an overhand proper in Spherical 3, and de Ridder draining Whittaker’s fuel tank with ripping knees to the physique and smothering grappling.
Neither fighter discovered a lot of a bonus within the championship rounds, with de Ridder centered on urgent Whittaker to the fence in pursuit of takedowns and Whittaker preserving his power within the hopes of discovering a fight-changing flurry. When the ultimate bell rang, the scorecards had been anyone’s guess.
Fighters on social media praised each fighters and gave their very own tackle the scores.
Take a look at reactions to the UFC Abu Dhabi essential occasion under.
Congrats to RDR, that was a terrific struggle. Title shot subsequent.
I’ve an extended lengthy strategy to go however I’ll preserve enhancing, getting higher and possibly we rematch sometime.
— Bo Nickal (@NoBickal) July 26, 2025
Good win…however name the title shot subsequent is a minimum of delusional
— Caio Borralho (@BorralhoCaio) July 26, 2025
Whittaker slowed down and paid the value for it
— Caio Borralho (@BorralhoCaio) July 26, 2025
I’ve acquired it 48-47 to Whittaker.
Who’ve you bought?
— Brett Johns (@36Johns) July 26, 2025
Good struggle I believe rdr gained that
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) July 26, 2025
With all due respect, I’d knock out de Ridder 3 x wich spherical. All that stated congrats in your win at present , regardless of dangerous struggle.
— Paulo Costa (@BorrachinhaMMA) July 26, 2025
I believed DRICUS was most unearthly struggle type in UFC however de RIDDER is doing the whole lot to compete with him face to face .
— Paulo Costa (@BorrachinhaMMA) July 26, 2025
