Fighters react to de Ridder beating Robert Whittaker

Reinier de Ridder’s stellar octagon run continued Saturday when he defeated former champion Robert Whittaker in the UFC on ABC 9 main event.

After making his promotion debut in September, former two-division ONE Championship titleholder de Ridder (20-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC) is now on the cusp of a title shot after he defeated Whittaker (26-9 MMA, 17-7 UFC) by split decision in the headliner at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

Check below for the top X (formerly Twitter) reactions to de Ridder beating Whittaker at UFC on ABC 9.

Reinier de Ridder out to “Code” by Hef

Robert Whittaker to “Can’t Be Touched” by Roy Jones Jr. #UFCAbuDhabi

— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) July 26, 2025

Cross to high kick incoming

— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 26, 2025

10-9 Whittaker. He needs to remain aware of those lethal RDR knees coming his way #UFCAbuDhabi

— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) July 26, 2025

10-9 Whittaker in the first. Very few fighters are as efficient as he is. No wasted actions.

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) July 26, 2025

That knee really hurt Rob. Not good

— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) July 26, 2025

1-1 Whitaker getting tired

— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) July 26, 2025

I thought DRICUS was most weird fight style in UFC but de RIDDER is doing everything to compete with him head to head .

— Paulo Costa (@BorrachinhaMMA) July 26, 2025

Just keep throwing the jab And the knee if ur rdr

— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 26, 2025

Long night for both

— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) July 26, 2025

I’m still giving that round to Whitaker because he almost had him finished. 2-1 Robert #UFCAbuDhabi

— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) July 26, 2025

RDR needs to have enough energy to throw the knees. Without his knees it’s going to be all Robert Whittaker. Great takedown control for RDR to conserve his energy to start throwing the knees again. Momentum RDR.

— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) July 26, 2025

Rdr was about hit that dricus shit than Whittaker hit him with that chill out boy lmfao

— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) July 26, 2025

Roberts tired from the movement he needs to move less

— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 26, 2025

First time RdR has entered the fifth round since his fight with Aung La Nsang in 2020.

Aung is in his corner tonight and RdR told me this week that he still gives him some of his toughest rounds in the gym.

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) July 26, 2025

All tied up headed to the fifth and final round. Who wants it more? #UFCAbuDhabi

— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) July 26, 2025

2-2 whoever win this round is getting hand raised

— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) July 26, 2025

Good fight I think rdr won that

— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) July 26, 2025

LONGEST ACTIVE UFC WIN STREAKS – Middleweight
9 – Dricus Du Plessis
7 – Caio Borralho
7 – Anthony Hernandez
4 – Reinier de Ridder
4 – Khamzat Chimaev*
4 – Nassourdine Imavov
4 – Nursulton Ruziboev
*8-fight UFC win streak overall#UFCAbuDhabi

— Michael Carroll (@MJCflipdascript) July 26, 2025

Congrats to RDR, that was a great fight. Title shot next.

I have a long long way to go but I will keep improving, getting better and maybe we rematch someday.

— Bo Nickal (@NoBickal) July 26, 2025

With all due respect, I would knock out de Ridder 3 x wich round. All that said congrats for your win today , despite bad fight.

— Paulo Costa (@BorrachinhaMMA) July 26, 2025

I think de Ridder is gays , and that’s ok bro.

— Paulo Costa (@BorrachinhaMMA) July 26, 2025

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