The UFC on ABC 9 main event on July 26, 2025, features a compelling middleweight clash between former UFC champion Robert Whittaker and two-division former ONE titleholder Reinier de Ridder. It's a high-stakes fight between an elite striker with championship pedigree and a grappling specialist transitioning into the UFC spotlight.
Robert Whittaker
Robert “The Reaper” Whittaker (26–8) remains a top-tier middleweight despite recent setbacks. The former UFC champ is a polished striker with excellent footwork, feints, and defensive awareness. Whittaker thrives in five-round fights, blending high-output boxing with sneaky head kicks and stout takedown defense.
He rebounded from a loss to Dricus du Plessis by knocking out Ikram Aliskerov and then stepped in on to fight Khamzat Chimaev, where he suffered a second-round submission loss.
However, Whittaker is 2–2 in his last four and has shown vulnerability to suffocating grapplers and physicality early in fights, as seen in losses to Chimaev and du Plessis.
Robert Whittaker – Last 5 Fights:
* Loss vs. Khamzat Chimaev – Submission (Face Crank) – UFC 308, Oct 26, 2024
* Win vs. Ikram Aliskerov – KO (Punches) – UFC ABC 8, Jun 22, 2024
* Win vs. Paulo Costa – Decision (Unanimous) – UFC 298, Feb 17, 2024
* Loss vs. Dricus du Plessis – TKO (Punches) – UFC 290, Jul 8, 2023
* Win vs. Marvin Vettori – Decision (Unanimous) – UFC FN Paris, Sep 3, 2022
Whittaker has never lost to anyone outside the top five and remains one of the toughest puzzles to solve at 185 lbs.
Reinier de Ridder
Reinier “The Dutch Knight” de Ridder (20–2) is one of the most accomplished submission specialists to join the UFC in recent years. A former ONE double champ, he boasts 13 wins by submission and recently shocked the division with a TKO over Bo Nickal.
De Ridder is a long, lanky grappler with elite positional control and a creative submission arsenal. Though his striking has developed, it’s still a secondary tool used to close distance and clinch. Since losing his ONE titles to Anatoly Malykhin, RDR has looked rejuvenated at middleweight with dominant performances over Holland, Meerschaert, and Nickal.
Reinier de Ridder – Last 5 Fights:
* Win vs. Bo Nickal – TKO (Knees) – UFC on ESPN, May 3, 2025
* Win vs. Kevin Holland – Submission (RNC) – UFC 311, Jan 18, 2025
* Win vs. Gerald Meerschaert – Submission (Arm-Triangle) – UFC FN, Nov 9, 2024
* Win vs. Magomedmurad Khasaev – TKO (Punches) – UAE Warriors 51, Jul 27, 2024
* Loss vs. Anatoly Malykhin – TKO (Retirement) – ONE 166, Mar 1, 2024
RDR has momentum and brings a style rarely seen in the UFC’s middleweight division.
Matchup Breakdown
This is a striker vs. grappler classic. Whittaker has the clear edge on the feet with fast combinations, elite lateral movement, and the ability to fight behind a jab and mix in kicks. His takedown defense will be key against RDR’s body locks, trips, and clinch work.
De Ridder must close distance without taking damage and get Whittaker down early, where his submission threat becomes a real problem. The longer the fight stays standing, the more it favors Whittaker, whose cardio and output are proven over five rounds.
RDR’s striking has improved, but he’s still hittable and hasn’t faced a striker of Whittaker’s caliber. If Whittaker defends the initial grappling entries, he can pick apart De Ridder and potentially finish late.
Prediction
RDR is dangerous early, especially if he catches Whittaker cold or scrambles to the back. But Whittaker’s balance, experience, and takedown defense should hold up. Expect the Aussie to weather early grappling, stay upright, and start landing clean combinations by Round 2.
Prediction:
Robert Whittaker def. Reinier de Ridder via TKO (Punches) – Round 3