An electrifying night of UFC action took place in Abu Dhabi, where Dutch MMA fighter Reinier de Ridder secured a hard-fought split decision win (2-1) over former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in the main event.
The decision sparked some debate online, but ultimately, de Ridder left the octagon with his hands raised in victory. In his post-fight interview, he said, “Whittaker was really tough — I didn’t expect such a challenging fight.”
Over five intense rounds, both fighters delivered a thrilling performance — from ground exchanges to fast-paced striking. De Ridder relied on his grappling and ground control skills to neutralize much of Whittaker’s striking power.
In round three, Whittaker landed a powerful right hand that briefly dropped de Ridder, but the Dutch fighter recovered and regained control on the ground, convincing the judges to score the fight in his favor.
This showdown was the perfect finale to a spectacular night of UFC in Abu Dhabi. With fans from across the UAE filling the arena and massive attention from MMA enthusiasts worldwide, the event once again cemented Abu Dhabi’s status as a key destination on the global UFC calendar.
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