Reinier de Ridder keeps rolling.
In the UFC on ABC 9 main event Saturday, de Ridder (21-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC) defeated former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker over five rounds. The decision was a split set of 48-47 scorecards. The event took place at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
The bout was exciting and competitive throughout. De Ridder’s jab and step-knee were successful throughout the bout. The most chaotic sequence took place in Round 3 when de Ridder charged a stunned Whittaker and attempted that knee, only to have the momentum completely shifted with a flooring overhand right.
Whittaker pounded away but was unable to finish the former ONE Championship titleholder. The fight was likely tied entering Round 5. The tiebreaker didn’t provide much clarity, however, as the fighters turned in another razor-thin round.
An argument could be made that either fighter did enough, but two of the three opinions that mattered sided with de Ridder.
De Ridder, 34, remains unbeaten in the UFC. Saturday’s bout was his first decision in the promotion, after finishes of Gerald Meerschaert, Kevin Holland, and Bo Nickal.
Whittaker, 34, falls to 2-3 in his most recent five fights. He’s lost back-to-back bouts. Saturday was his first since he was submitted by Khamzat Chimaev in October.
Full UFC on ABC 9 results
- Reinier de Ridder def. Robert Whittaker via split decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47)
- Petr Yan def. Marcus McGhee via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Shara Magomedov def. Marc-Andre Barriault via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Asu Almabayev def. Jose Ochoa via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Bogdan Guskov def. Nikita Krylov via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:18
- Bryce Mitchell def. Said Nurmagomedov via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Muslim Salikhov def. Carlos Leal via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 0:42
- Davey Grant def. Da’Mon Blackshear via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Tabatha Ricci def. Amanda Ribas via TKO (elbow) – Round 2, 2:59
- Billy Elekana def. Ibo Aslan via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Steven Nguyen def. Mohammad Yahya via TKO (doctor stoppage) – Round 2, 5:00
- Martin Buday def. Marcus Buchecha via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
