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6d ago

Whittaker and De Ridder Clash in UFC Abu Dhabi Main Event

Media build-up has spotlighted Whittaker’s comeback drive after his jaw injury against de Ridder’s bid to cement his place among UFC’s elite middleweights.

UFC 271: Adesanya v Whittaker 2
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Overview

  • Former UFC champion Robert Whittaker and undefeated ex-ONE double champion Reinier de Ridder meet in tonight’s Etihad Arena main event in Abu Dhabi.
  • Whittaker seeks a rebound after a first-round submission loss and fractured jaw sustained at UFC 308 against Khamzat Chimaev.
  • De Ridder enters with a flawless 4-0 UFC record and plans to press early with takedowns and submissions to secure his first major breakthrough.
  • The matchup underscores a clash of Whittaker’s precision striking versus de Ridder’s superior grappling and a five-inch reach edge for the Dutch newcomer.
  • Victory guarantees the winner a direct path into middleweight title contention and potential matchups with the reigning champion or next-ranked contenders.