Ex-champ Robert Whittaker to face Reinier de Ridder in July


Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker will look to rebound from a high-profile loss in his most recent appearance when he headlines UFC Fight Night on July 26 against Reinier de Ridder.

UFC officials announced the 185-pound bout Saturday. The UFC Fight Night will take place at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Whittaker (26-8) is coming off a first-round submission loss to Khamzat Chimaev in October. He said he suffered from teeth displacement in the loss, after Chimaev secured an early face crank after an immediate takedown. Whittaker, 34, had been approaching title contention prior to the loss, with victories over Paulo Costa and Ikram Aliskerov.

De Ridder (20-2), who goes by the nickname “RDR,” is coming off the biggest win of his career in a second-round knockout of Bo Nickal last weekend. The Dutch contender is 3-0 since signing with the UFC last year, compiling those three victories in a span of less than six months.

Middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis does not have his next title defense set, but the UFC has already announced he will face Chimaev on a date to be determined.



#Exchamp #Robert #Whittaker #face #Reinier #Ridder #July

Related Posts

Wallabies release two more players for British & Irish Lions tour amid availability row | Rugby Union News

The Wallabies have released hooker Matt Faessler and centre Hunter Paisami back to the Queensland Reds as the row over Australia’s contractual obligation to release players to Super Rugby teams…

Why all the Achilles injuries in the NBA this season?

Maria Lawson Close Maria Lawson is a reporter in the ESPN investigative and enterprise unit. She is an ESPN-American University investigative fellow from Frisco, Texas. Jun 25, 2025, 12:21 PM…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *