Reinier de Ridder eked out the biggest win of his career against Robert Whittaker.
De Ridder defeated Whittaker, a former UFC middleweight champion, via split decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47) in the UFC Abu Dhabi main event Saturday at Etihad Arena.
De Ridder survived a massive knockdown in the third round and outlasted Whittaker in the championship rounds to earn the judges’ nod.
