Expert prediction
UFC Abu Dhabi: Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder Preview, Odds, Prediction (Jul 26)
Pick rationale
Analysis & key factors
- Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder is the main event of UFC on ABC 9.
- Whittaker is coming off a first-round loss to Khamzat Chimaev.
- Reinier de Ridder beat Bo Nickal in his last fight.
Robert Whittaker’s looking to bounce back after that brutal loss to Chimaev. Despite getting his jaw dislocated, he seems to be ready for a comeback in the main event in Abu Dhabi.
Bookies think he’ll pull it off, but standing in his way is a guy who’s already shocked the betting world once this year. It’s Reinier de Ridder who we’re talking about, the man who inflicted Bo Nickal his first loss ever.
How to Watch
- Where: Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE
- When: Saturday, July 26, at 9 p.m. ET
- How to Watch: ABC
Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder Odds
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Robert Whittaker | -150 |
| Reinier de Ridder | +130 |
Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder Preview
Robert Whittaker (26-8) has only lost to the elite – Adesanya (twice), du Plessis, and most recently, Khamzat Chimaev. That Chimaev fight in October wasn’t just a loss; it was a disaster.
Whittaker got submitted via face crank, and worse, his jaw was broken in the process. Whether that was from Khamzat’s freak strength or an old injury caused by three KO/TKO losses, we don’t know.
But it doesn’t matter, really. What matters is that Whittaker’s jaw is now a big question mark. This goes especially because he’s supposed to fight Reinier de Ridder (20-2), the man who beat Bo Nickal by TKO in May.
The Dutchman has made serious noise since crossing over from ONE Championship. He’s 3-0 in the UFC with two submission wins (Meerschaert and Holland) and a technical knockout against Bo Nickal, where he didn’t even need to use his grappling – he just beat him up.
Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder Prediction
We love Bobby Knuckles, everyone does. But we think Khamzat has basically retired him. He probably won’t be able to get back to the level he was before.
But even if that weren’t the case, we’d still think that RDR has the tools to beat him. He’s a 6’4 middleweight with a 78’’ reach, giving him a solid size advantage over Whittaker.
His grappling is elite, and now we know his striking is no joke either. If Chimaev broke Whittaker with pressure and power, RDR has every reason to believe he can do the same.
Free Pick:
- Reinier de Ridder
MMA
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