Reinier de Ridder cemented his status as a formidable force in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight division with a hard-fought split decision victory over former champion Robert Whittaker at UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi. In a gruelling contest that showcased both fighters’ resilience, de Ridder outlasted Whittaker, landing significantly more total strikes (192 compared to 70) and securing two crucial takedowns.
Despite being dropped by an overhand right in the third round, ‘The Dutch Knight’ demonstrated remarkable recovery, weathering the storm and re-establishing control — ultimately swaying two judges to score the bout 48–47 in his favour.
This triumph marks de Ridder’s fourth consecutive win in the UFC, taking his record to an impressive 4–0 since signing with the promotion in September 2024.
Prior to his UFC tenure, de Ridder had already etched his name in combat sports history as a dominant two-division champion in ONE Championship, simultaneously holding both the middleweight and light heavyweight titles.
His rapid ascent in the UFC includes submission victories over Gerald Meerschaert and Kevin Holland, as well as a TKO win against the highly rated Bo Nickal, highlighting his diverse skill set.
De Ridder’s fighting style is deeply rooted in his black belt expertise in Judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. He is renowned for his relentless grappling, consistently seeking takedowns to impose his will and hunting for submissions via rear-naked choke, arm-triangle, or guillotine.
At first glance, his style might appear unconventional.
But de Ridder effectively utilises his considerable height and reach advantage, landing powerful knees and jabs to set up grappling entries. He is considered a strategic and adaptable fighter, capable of adjusting his approach mid-fight to exploit opponents’ weaknesses and control the pace of the bout.
The victory over Whittaker has firmly thrust de Ridder into the middleweight title conversation. Currently ranked No. 13 in the division, he has openly expressed his ambition to challenge for the championship and has even called for a shot at the winner of the upcoming UFC 319 middleweight title fight between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev.
Another notable performance came from Shara Magomedov, also known as ‘Shara Bullet’. The striking specialist secured a unanimous decision victory over Marc-Andre Barriault in a bloody and aggressive bout.
With an impressive professional record of 16–1, including 12 knockouts, Magomedov’s stand-up-heavy fighting style continues to captivate fans. He was reportedly hospitalised with a broken nose following the intense fight.
Challenger alert: Dricus du Plessis (in pic) is set to defend his middleweight crown in a much-anticipated showdown against Khamzat Chimaev.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images
Challenger alert: Dricus du Plessis (in pic) is set to defend his middleweight crown in a much-anticipated showdown against Khamzat Chimaev.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images
Can Du Plessis do it again?
Du Plessis is set to defend his middleweight title for the third time against top contender Chimaev at UFC 319 on August 17. This highly anticipated main event will pit the reigning champion against one of the sport’s fastest-rising stars.
Du Plessis claimed the middleweight belt after a gruelling split-decision victory over Sean Strickland. He has since successfully defended his title twice — first against the formidable Israel Adesanya and then in a rematch with Strickland at UFC 305 and UFC 312, respectively.
Conversely, Chimaev, also known as ‘Borz’, made his UFC debut in 2020 and swiftly established himself as a serious contender for the middleweight crown.
His impressive run of victories has demonstrated his diverse skill set and relentless fighting style, earning him this significant opportunity to challenge for the championship.
UFC 319 promises to be a pivotal event in the middleweight landscape, with both fighters looking to further cement their legacy. The outcome will undoubtedly have significant implications for the future of the division.
Adding to the stacked main card, Brazil’s Carlos Prates is also set to return against Geoff Neal. Prates recently suffered a unanimous decision loss to Ian Machado Garry in April, which snapped an impressive 11-fight winning streak. He will be looking to rebound strongly and showcase his knockout prowess against Neal.
