Abu Dhabi, UAE – Reinier de Ridder cemented his rise in the middleweight division, securing a hard-fought split-decision victory over former champion Robert Whittaker in the main event of UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, July 26, 2025. This significant win marks de Ridder’s fourth straight triumph in the UFC and his fifth consecutive MMA victory overall.
Main Event Recap: De Ridder’s Grappling and Volume Prevail
The highly anticipated middleweight clash went the distance, with two judges scoring the bout 48-47 in favor of de Ridder (21-2-0 MMA), while a lone judge saw it 48-47 for Whittaker (27-9-0 MMA), resulting in the split verdict.
Despite Whittaker landing a significant knockdown with a strike in the third round, de Ridder showcased his relentless grappling and superior striking volume. The Dutchman landed 192 total strikes compared to Whittaker’s 70 and secured two crucial takedowns, which likely swayed the judges in his favor.
“I expected to take him down and choke him out,” de Ridder admitted after the fight, acknowledging Whittaker’s toughness. “He was amazing. So tough, so durable, heavy hands.” The 34-year-old’s ability to recover from Whittaker’s power shot and maintain control underscored his resilience and continued progression in the division.
Undercard Delivers Knockouts and Dominant Performances
The main card delivered several other compelling bouts, featuring explosive finishes and strategic masterclasses.
- Guskov Delivers First-Round KO: In the light heavyweight division, Bogdan Guskov (18-3-0 MMA) continued his impressive run of finishes, knocking out Nikita Krylov (30-11-0 MMA) at 4:18 of the first round. This extends the Uzbekistani fighter’s streak to four consecutive wins by either knockout or submission.
- Yan Back in Win Column: Former bantamweight champion Petr Yan (19-5-0 MMA) secured a unanimous decision victory over Marcus McGhee (10-2-0 MMA). Yan outpaced his opponent across the board, demonstrating superiority in total strikes, significant strikes, control time, and takedowns.
- Magomedov Rebounds: In a middleweight contest, Shara Magomedov (16-1-0 MMA) bounced back from his first professional loss in February. He defeated Marc-Andre Barriault (17-10-0 MMA) by unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the bout 30-27 in his favor.
- Almabayev Controls Flyweight Bout: Flyweight contender Asu Almabayev (22-3-0 MMA) earned a unanimous decision victory against 24-year-old Peruvian Jose Ochoa (8-2-0 MMA). Despite Ochoa landing 118 total strikes, Almabayev dictated the pace of the fight primarily through his wrestling, securing seven takedowns.
The preliminary card also featured a highlight-reel finish, with Muslim Salikhov (22-5-0 MMA) knocking out Carlos Leal (22-7-0 MMA) in just 42 seconds in their welterweight fight.
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