Reinier de Ridder vs Robert Whittaker — Fight recap

Reinier de Ridder defeated Robert Whittaker by split decision over five rounds on July 26, 2025, in a closely contested middleweight battle. De Ridder landed 67 significant strikes at 46% accuracy while controlling the cage for 9:06, though he struggled with takedown efficiency, converting just 2 of 15 attempts for a 13% success rate.

Whittaker matched de Ridder's striking output with 66 significant strikes at an identical 46% clip and scored a knockdown, but managed minimal control time at just 36 seconds and never secured a takedown. The split decision reflected the fight's competitive nature, with judges splitting on who edged the grappling exchanges and striking volume across five rounds.

De Ridder's wrestling-heavy approach and octagon control ultimately secured the nod, positioning him as a legitimate threat in the middleweight title picture.