Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker (26-8) headlines the July 26 UFC on ABC struggle card in Abu Dhabi in opposition to the rising Dutchman Reinier de Ridder (20-2).
Whittaker will look to rebound from a first-round submission loss to Khamzat Chimaev. Ranked No. 5 within the division, Whittaker might be combating down within the rankings. De Ridder is at present ranked No. 13, however is using a four-fight successful streak with finishes over all three of his UFC opponents.
“I have been getting ready for a struggle, attempting to remain prepared for a struggle. I used to be searching for June,” Whittaker advised Submission Radio. “But it surely by no means form of got here round. After which they got here again to me and mentioned RDR, July, Abu Dhabi… I simply jumped on the alternative and mentioned, sure, and right here we’re.”
13 of de Ridder’s 20 wins have been through submission. He defended a number of takedown makes an attempt from former three-time NCAA Division I nationwide champion wrestler Bo Nickal in his final struggle. Whittaker acknowledges de Ridder’s grappling potential however believes he’ll be capable of dictate how the struggle goes.
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“He is a harmful man,” Whittaker mentioned. “For those who take a look at lots of guys within the High 5, all these guys have like actually good grappling and a really harmful skillset. It’s important to. It’s important to have a really well-rounded, harmful skillset, high-level skillset to play in these higher numbers.
“However actually, I believe this struggle goes to be one the place if I push the tempo to the place I need it to go, if I management the struggle, management the dance, I can take the struggle to the place I need it to go,” Whittaker continued. “I can actually maneuver the struggle and push it into locations the place I am actually robust.”
Whittaker desires to make an announcement in opposition to de Ridder and use the win as step one to working his means again to a championship alternative.
“I wish to set an announcement on this subsequent struggle. I wish to actually ship a message and work my means as much as the title,” Whittaker mentioned.
