Reinier de Ridder stays undefeated within the octagon, recording a close-contested determination victory over former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker at UFC Abu Dhabi.
As anticipated, De Ridder got here out to take Whittaker to the mat quickly. Regardless of stable efforts, “The Grim Reaper” remained upright all through the opening spherical. Nevertheless, it was the second stanza, when De Ridder’s timing knee to the center appeared to fold his opponent, permitting the Dutch to attain a takedown of their first struggle.
Feeling a wave of momentum, De Ridder swings third the loudest, however consuming a fierce overhand from Whittaker, he crashes into the canvas. Whitaker moved in and thought of dropping a bomb on the mat, however “RDR” defended, scrambling again to his ft and inhaling a little bit of a clinch.
Ultimately, De Ridder secured one other Takedown and returned to Whittaker’s mat for the remainder of the third. He gathered management time, however it will not have been sufficient to offset his drop by the Whittaker early within the spherical.
After a exhausting tempo within the first quarter-hour, issues had been slower within the fourth, when DE Ridder took benefit of the clinch to keep away from hazard. De Ridder’s technique remained the identical fifth as Whittaker slugs it and doubtlessly makes an attempt to swing the scorecard in his favour.
Sadly for Whittaker, De Ridder was too efficient at shutting down New Zealanders’ assaults.
Official Outcomes:Reinier de Knight def. by way of Robert Whittaker (47-48, 48-47, 48-47).
