Reinier de Ridder Powers Past Robert Whittaker

The scorecards reflect how close the fight was 48-47 twice for de Ridder, 48-47 for Whittaker but it’s another notch in the belt for the undefeated fighter, who now improves to 4-0 in the UFC.

With this win, de Ridder has likely earned a top-5 opponent next and maybe even a title eliminator, depending on how the division shakes out. His blend of toughness, grappling dominance, and evolving striking makes him a serious problem at 185 pounds.

Devastating loss for Whittaker

He fought his heart out, dropped Reinier de Ridder with a clean, thunderous shot in Round 3, and had moments where he looked like the sharper, more experienced fighter. But it wasn’t enough. The close nature of the fight a 48-47 split decision only adds to the sting.

This marks another setback in Whittaker’s quest to regain the middleweight title, and for a fighter who’s already faced most of the top contenders, it raises real questions about where he goes from here. He’s still elite, still dangerous, but at 34 with miles on the odometer, it’s clear that the division is might be too much to keep up with now.

That said, Whittaker remains one of the most respected and well-rounded middleweights in MMA history. A loss like this doesn’t erase his legacy  but it might be a signal that his title window is all but closed.