Watch Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder full fight video highlights from their UFC Abu Dhabi main event showdown Sunday night, courtesy of multiple outlets.
Whittaker vs. de Ridder took place July 26 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Robert Whittaker (26-9) and Reinier de Ridder (21-2) squared off in the the main event clash. The fight aired live on ABC.
Official result: Reinier de Ridder def. Robert Whittaker via split decision (48-47 x2, 47-48)
Catch all the video highlights
below.
DROPPED HIM @RobWhittakerMMA connected flush!
— UFC (@ufc) July 26, 2025
[ #UFCAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/3cXZ4ANdd7
BRO HOW DID RDR SURVIVE THAT WTF#UFCAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/m2skCMbQzA
— ACD MMA (@acdmma_) July 26, 2025
Esa rodilla de Reinier de Ridder #UFCAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/2sQ2ElMMdv
— UFC Español (@UFCEspanol) July 26, 2025
It's go time #UFCAbuDhabi's main event is LIVE NOW on @ABC and @ESPNPlus!
— UFC (@ufc) July 26, 2025
[ #InAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/W0JKVqtzqX
Robert Whittaker wants to propel himself back into middleweight championship contention #UFCAbuDhabi | LIVE NOW on TNT Sports 2 and discovery+ pic.twitter.com/vW0PplvcQd
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) July 26, 2025
Reinier de Ridder is looking to go four unbeaten since arriving in the UFC #UFCAbuDhabi | LIVE NOW on TNT Sports 2 and discovery+ pic.twitter.com/eT6g8D9mcE
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) July 26, 2025
Whittaker has arrived to the arena! #UFCAbuDhabi@VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/MPgPVtIfvU
— danawhite (@danawhite) July 26, 2025
de Ridder has arrived to the arena! #UFCAbuDhabi@VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/6m0cDhZz3r
— danawhite (@danawhite) July 26, 2025
For more on Whittaker vs. de Ridder, check out the live blog below.
Round 1
Referee Marc Goddard on hand for the main event.
De Ridder catches a kick early and he wants to take this to the mat. Whittaker with some good counter wrestling, staying on his feet as he fights to free himself with de Ridder grabbing onto his wrist. Whittaker gets separation.
Whittaker’s hands are low as he looks to dart in and out with punches, landing a couple of good ones that force de Ridder back. De Ridder telegraphs a takedown, easy stuff for Whittaker. He pops de Ridder with a jab.
De Ridder using a jab to close the distance, but Whittaker’s hand speed makes him dangerous. He’s tagged de Ridder with several clean punches already. Jab from de Ridder, but takedown attempt is blocked. He goes in again and tries to tackle Whittaker to the fence, Whittaker with some great takedown defense. Jab right on the money for Whittaker. Left hook by Whittaker on an advancing de Ridder. De Ridder countering with jabs but it’s not enough. Whittaker hits him with a right hand. That was his round.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Whittaker.
Round 2
Winging left from de Ridder smacks Whittaker, almost leading to a slip. Another de Ridder takedown stuffed. Lunging right by de Ridder scores, but Whittaker lands a right of his own before de Ridder can pull back. Another looping right by de Ridder lands. Whittaker with a 1-2, he’s controlling the distance beautifully.
De Ridder increasing the pressure, another takedown attempt followed by jabs. Big knee to the body and Whittaker definitely felt that one. Jab by de Ridder and there’s another big knee, that had to hurt. De Ridder presses forward and gets a takedown.
A little under two minutes for de Ridder to work as he fights to advance past Whittaker’s butterfly guard. Whittaker not in immediate danger, but de Ridder finding openings to land some light ground-and-pound. They’ll go to the third.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, de Ridder. Overall, 19-19.
Round 3
Whittaker coming out quick with a two-punch combo, but de Ridder avoids it. Now it’s de Ridder’s turn to come forward and he mixes in that knee to the body as he swarms with punches.
OVERHAND RIGHT BY WHITTAKER DROPS DE RIDDER. WHOA. Sorry, got a little overexcited there.
Whittaker follows with ground-and-pound, he wants that finish. De Ridder showing his toughness, he’s not out of it just yet. They get back on the feet.
Jab battle as both fighters try to reset. Whittaker advances with a punching combination. De Ridder times a takedown and he puts Whittaker on his back with over two minutes to go. De Ridder working to advance past half guard. Whittaker trying to move them over to the fence, but he has a long way to go. De Ridder briefly in side control and he lands a few punches.
Whittaker not letting de Ridder open up on the ground. Close round, I still lean towards Whittaker for the knockdown.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Whittaker. Overall, 29-28 Whittaker.
Round 4
De Ridder immediately searching for a takedown. Whittaker trying to get off the fence, de Ridder bearing down on him. Whittaker trying to break away, but de Ridder sticking with the game plan and just smothering him. He’s making sure to protect the body as de Ridder holds him.
Whittaker blocks another shot and they’re wrestling against the fence again. De Ridder mixing in shoulder strikes. He tries a trip, but Whittaker blocks and briefly ends up on top before deciding to back up and return to the striking.
Nice jab by Whittaker. De Ridder lands a jab, followed by a left hook. Not a lot behind these punches as the fatigue is evident for both fighters. Left hand from de Ridder connects. Whittaker with a couple of snapping jabs. De Ridder knee to the body. Over hand right by de Ridder. This is getting real sloppy.
Last 30 seconds of Round 4, not much of significance lands. Feels like this is anyone’s game.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, de Ridder. Overall, 38-38.
Round 5
Whittaker looking springy, good body language. He’s been here before. Whittaker scores a jab, then a counter punch as de Ridder ducks in. Single leg by de Ridder, Whittaker shrugs him off. Right hand from Whittaker just misses as de Ridder ties him up again.
De Ridder has Whittaker stuck to the fence, but Whittaker not complacent. He circles out. De Ridder fires in that knee again and initiates another tie up. Whittaker gets free and brings the fight back to the center of the octagon. De Ridder single leg attempt, then a trip, but Whittaker’s sharp takedown defense keeps the action on the feet. De Ridder pressing him against the fence.
Not a lot to score in the final round. One big moment in the last two minutes could decide the fight.
Whittaker scores with a couple of body punches. De Ridder with an overhand right. He knees the body and pushes Whittaker to the fence again. Less than a minute remaining, neither fighter has much left in the tank.
Another de Ridder takedown stuffed, Whittaker looking to counter punch. De Ridder ties him up as the round comes to a close, but I don’t think he actually did much this round.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Whittaker. Overall, 48-47 Whittaker.
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- LIVE! UFC Abu Dhabi Results: Whittaker vs. De Ridder
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