Whittaker vs de Ridder Prediction
🔥 On July 26, Abu Dhabi (UAE) will host the UFC on ABC 9 mixed martial arts event. The main event of the evening features former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker taking on Reinier de Ridder. Can the Australian fighter bounce back after a crushing defeat to Khamzat Chimaev? Or will the former ONE two-division champion from the Netherlands pull off an upset? Check out Scores24's prediction for this bout!
H2H Stats Fights and Previous Results
Robert Whittaker Player Overview
Robert's MMA record stands at 26-8. In his last three bouts, he secured victories over Paulo Costa and Ikram Aliskerov. However, in his most recent fight last October, Whittaker suffered a first-round submission defeat to Khamzat Chimaev. The Chechen fighter not only submitted the former champion but also broke his jaw. After that, Rob had a lengthy recovery period. Now, he's finally ready to make his return to the octagon.
The "Reaper" boasts excellent footwork and a keen sense of distance. He's dangerous both on his feet, where he can threaten with kicks and powerful hand combinations, and in grappling, where he can ground and pound or submit his opponent. However, the Australian struggles with durability and cardio, which his opponents often exploit.
Match Results: Robert Whittaker
Reinier de Ridder Player Overview
De Ridder boasts a professional record of 20-2. The Dutchman made an impressive entrance into the UFC, securing three victories in his first three fights with the promotion. Initially, Reinier submitted Gerald Meerschaert and Kevin Holland, and then, this May, he unexpectedly knocked out one of the middleweight division's top prospects, Bo Nickal, earning himself a major fight headlining the event in Abu Dhabi.
His strength remains his grappling. The Dutchman typically threatens opponents with takedowns and strong clinch work. De Ridder's substantial physique gives him a physical edge over his rivals. However, Reinier does have gaps in his timing and striking technique.
Match Results: Reinier de Ridder
Latest news
Robert Whittaker
Whittaker on the upcoming fight:
"De Ridder is an awkward guy. He sticks to that same mentality, that same school of thought where you just go forward and hit people, right? I understand that I should have the edge in this fight, and I think it's a great precursor to what I want to achieve in the future. His grappling style is also pretty cool. He's kind of one of those guys who really turns a lot of what he does into a weapon-constantly applying pressure.
But I am eager to make a statement in my next fight. I really want to, you know, send a message and carve my path to the title, so that's where my focus is right now."
Reinier de Ridder
De Ridder on the upcoming fight:
“Whittaker has been at the top for so long. We've seen his impressive victories. We've seen his notable defeats. I don't put much stock in the fight with Khamzat. The positioning wasn't ideal, his hand placement wasn't perfect. I just think Chimaev got lucky there. The injury was already present, and Khamzat simply capitalized on it. But not long before that, in the bout against Ikram Aliskerov, Whittaker showed his best self. Robert handled it excellently, which reminded us how dangerous he still is.
For me, it's a serious warning that I can't approach the fight like Ikram did. I can't give him space. I can't give him time to survey the situation because he has knockout power and very precise, clean, straight punches. I need to be very cautious. Pressure is the most important thing for me. I have to apply pressure on him. I need to set the tone from the start because I can't let him move freely. I can't let him see what's happening. But I'm confident I can outplay him.”
Editorial Prediction
It will be intriguing to see how de Ridder performs against a top-tier middleweight contender like Rob Whittaker, a level of competition he has yet to face in the UFC. Although in ONE Championship, de Ridder has encountered a similar style in Anatoly Malykhin and lost both encounters... We anticipate a similar outcome against Whittaker. Much like Malykhin, Robert excels in all areas of the fight game, outstriking de Ridder on the feet and effortlessly defending the Dutchman's takedowns.
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