UFC: Robert Whittaker returned to the Octagon to take on Reinier de Ridder in an epic main event in Abu Dhabi.
Whittaker & De Riddler's 5-Round War! | 02:50 Australia ’s Robert Whittaker has suffered a heartbreaking split decision loss against Reinier de Ridder in Abu Dhabi – and after being “seconds” away from finishing the UFC middleweight division ’s breakout star .
“He was seconds away from finishing,” former UFC champ Michael Bisping would say of the Australian soon after in commentary. Speaking inside the Octagon afterwards, the Australian was asked by UFC commentator and former world champion Bisping about coming so close in a brutal back-and-forth.“I thought I ticked all the boxes, but the pressure was a lot.“I’ve mentioned it before, he’s got a particular way of fighting.“He got it off more times than not and walked away a winner, good on him.”De Ridder, meanwhile, agreed the fight was “very close” and had not gone like he expected.“But he was amazing, man.
The Aussie was also cut on the nose in the second, which RDR dominated with about two minutes of control time.However, both the fourth and fifth went to RDR on two of the three judges’ scorecards, which is where the fight was effectively decided., regain the UFC middleweight crown and then disappear into retirement with what will by then be a family of six children.
Shock Title Contender Championship Rounds United States Of America Mike Bell Decision Loss Heartbreaking Split Decision North America Split Decision Loss Oceania Breakout Star Middleweight Champion Middleweight Division Western Asia Ben Cartlidge America Social Media Las Vegas Nevada Split Decision Super Welterweight Champ World Champion Australia And New Zealand Division Bogeyman Middleweight Crown Tim Tszyu Real Issue Mega Knockdown Australian Fight Fans Abu Dhabi Nick Walshaw David Lethaby Northern America Brutal Submission Loss Contentious Championship Rounds Asia World Title Head Trauma Beloved Fighters Australia Robert Whittaker Decision Result Massive Knockdown
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘Wouldn’t have been ready’: Aussie’s big world title admission after ‘long road back’ to UFCUFC: Jimmy Crute explains how he rediscovered his love of competing in the octagon ahead of UFC 318
Read more »
Why Robert Whittaker wants to do it the hard way in his final run for a UFC titleRobert Whittaker has a clear plan for his last shot at a UFC title and he wants it to start and finish in the most difficult way possible.
Read more »
The incredible numbers behind UFC legend... and why now is the time to walk awayUFC: Ahead of his final UFC fight, Dustin Poirier has opened up on his decision to walk away from the fight game and what he believes his UFC legacy will be.
Read more »
‘See how you feel’: Aussie UFC star rubbishes Tszyu tag... and reveals retirement planBoxing: Robert Whittaker has defended Australian Boxing star Tim Tszyu after suffering a second loss to Sebastian Fundora.
Read more »
UFC LIVE: ‘My time’ — Aussie’s big world title call after ‘crazy’ first round finishUFC: Aussie Jimmy Crute made it look easy, submitting Marcin Prachnio in the first round before the fight could even heat up at UFC 318.
Read more »
Volk speaks after ‘unfortunate’ twist puts plan for next title fight ‘up in the air’UFC: Niko Pajarillo sits down with UFC Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski to discuss Movsar Evloevs fight cancellation.
Read more »