UFC on ABC 9: Robert Whittaker vs Reinier de Ridder

In the main event of UFC on ABC 9 on July 26, 2025, Reinier de Ridder and Robert Whittaker engaged in a grueling five-round contest that kept the Abu Dhabi crowd on edge from the opening bell. Whittaker opened the fight with his trademark sharp combinations, defending early takedown attempts and landing clean shots that cut De Ridder in the first round. By the second round, De Ridder began adjusting, using knees in the clinch to slow Whittaker down before dragging the fight into more grueling exchanges against the fence.

The middle of the fight proved to be a turning point. In round three, Whittaker appeared to take control when a counter strike sent De Ridder to the canvas, and he poured on ground-and-pound in search of a finish. De Ridder, however, showed composure under fire, survived the storm, scrambled back to his feet, and even managed to finish the round on top, shifting momentum at a critical moment. That sequence would prove to be one of the night’s defining moments.

The championship rounds saw De Ridder lean fully into his grappling and pressure. He pressed Robert Whittaker to the cage for long stretches, delivering knees to the body and wearing down the former champion. While Whittaker occasionally reversed positions, De Ridder’s insistence on clinch control slowed the striking battle and allowed him to dictate the tempo. His ability to neutralize Whittaker’s movement in these later rounds gave him a path back into the fight after a difficult start.

When the final round arrived, both men knew the fight was close. De Ridder maintained his forward momentum, holding Whittaker against the fence for large portions of the frame, while Whittaker searched for one decisive strike to turn the tide. Neither man landed a conclusive blow in the final minutes, leaving the outcome in the hands of the judges. After five demanding rounds, Reinier de Ridder was awarded a razor-thin split decision with scores of 48-47, 47-48, and 48-47, marking his fourth consecutive UFC victory.

After the fight, De Ridder credited Whittaker’s toughness but made it clear that his goal is a title shot against Dricus du Plessis. Whittaker, though disappointed, praised his opponent’s resilience and vowed to return stronger. This bout showcased two very different approaches—Whittaker’s speed and precision against De Ridder’s clinch control and endurance—and the contrast created one of the most engaging main events of the year, a fight that will be remembered for its momentum swings and high-level grit from both men.

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