De Ridder Hopes to Avoid Whittaker Rematch at 205 After Split-Decision Win Took Toll
Updated
Updated · Sherdog.com · Aug 20
De Ridder Hopes to Avoid Whittaker Rematch at 205 After Split-Decision Win Took Toll
3 articles · Updated · Sherdog.com · Aug 20
Summary
Reinier de Ridder said at UFC Sacramento media day he hopes not to face Robert Whittaker again for now, even after both men moved up to the 205-pound division.
The Dutchman said Whittaker’s speed—especially his jab-cross—surprised him in their middleweight meeting and forced him to dig deep in a fight he won by narrow split decision.
De Ridder is set to make his UFC light heavyweight debut against Roman Dolidze on Aug. 22, making his immediate focus a new division rather than a rematch.
Both fighters changed weight classes after setbacks at 185 pounds: de Ridder after losses to Brendan Allen and Caio Borralho, and Whittaker after defeats to Khamzat Chimaev and de Ridder before stopping Nikita Krylov at 205.