Reinier de Ridder and Robert Whittaker had the MMA world on the edge of their seats in Saturday’s UFC Abu Dhabi main event.
In the end, it was de Ridder who emerged victorious with a pair of 48-47 scores to earn a split decision win after five tightly contested rounds that went down to the wire. The headlining bout saw both fighters show off their skills, with Whittaker hurting de Ridder badly with an overhand right in Round 3, and de Ridder draining Whittaker’s gas tank with ripping knees to the body and smothering grappling.
Neither fighter found much of an advantage in the championship rounds, with de Ridder focused on pressing Whittaker to the fence in pursuit of takedowns and Whittaker preserving his energy in the hopes of finding a fight-changing flurry. When the final bell rang, the scorecards were anybody’s guess.
Fighters on social media praised both fighters and gave their own take on the scores.
Check out reactions to the UFC Abu Dhabi main event below.
Congrats to RDR, that was a great fight. Title shot next.
I have a long long way to go but I will keep improving, getting better and maybe we rematch someday.
— Bo Nickal (@NoBickal) July 26, 2025
Great performance by RDR. Adesanya next? #UFCAbuDhabi
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) July 26, 2025
I gave it to rdr
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 26, 2025
Good win…but call the title shot next is at least delusional
— Caio Borralho (@BorralhoCaio) July 26, 2025
Whittaker slowed down and paid the price for it
— Caio Borralho (@BorralhoCaio) July 26, 2025
I’ve got it 48-47 to Whittaker.
Who’ve you got?
— Brett Johns (@36Johns) July 26, 2025
Good fight I think rdr won that
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) July 26, 2025
More damage for the Reaper. Should get him the win #UFCAbuDhabi
— Billy Goff (@BilliamGoff) July 26, 2025
With all due respect, I would knock out de Ridder 3 x wich round. All that said congrats for your win today , despite bad fight.
— Paulo Costa (@BorrachinhaMMA) July 26, 2025
I thought DRICUS was most weird fight style in UFC but de RIDDER is doing everything to compete with him head to head .
— Paulo Costa (@BorrachinhaMMA) July 26, 2025
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