Reinier de Ridder shocked by split decision win at UFC Abu Dhabi

Reinier de Ridder faced former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in a five-round battle at UFC on ABC 9 in Abu Dhabi. De Ridder won by split decision, with two judges scoring 48-47 in his favor and one judge scoring 47-48 for Whittaker. Despite the close fight, de Ridder believed he had won three rounds and expressed surprise at the judge's decision.

De Ridder, now 4-0 in the UFC, defeated Whittaker following victories over Gerald Meerschaert, Kevin Holland, and Bo Nickal. He aims to secure a title shot in the competitive middleweight division, acknowledging the tough competition ahead. De Ridder emphasized his desire to prove himself as a top fighter and hopes to face the winner of an upcoming UFC 319 main event.

Looking ahead, de Ridder plans to focus on improving his skills after the fight with Whittaker. He expressed the need for some rest before returning to the gym to work on his game.