Robert Whittaker is preparing for a rapid return to the competitive scene.
The UFC recently confirmed that Whittaker will step back into the octagon this summer, headlining UFC Abu Dhabi against former ONE Championship two-division titleholder Reinier de Ridder. This bout marks Whittaker`s first appearance since sustaining a serious mouth injury against Khamzat Chimaev. The matchup was somewhat unexpected, given earlier discussions involving different potential opponents for Whittaker. However, Whittaker himself explained that the fight materialized swiftly due to favorable timing.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Whittaker recounted the process: He initially instructed his manager to explore options for late June or early July, specifically targeting International Fight Week. At that time, he was also considering a fight against Sean Strickland, noting that it made sense professionally and they had never competed before.
He received feedback that Strickland was just resuming training, and while that fight might be possible later, Roman Dolidze was immediately available and willing. Whittaker readily accepted the Dolidze fight.
“Then, literally four days ago,” Whittaker revealed, “they came back asking, `RDR? De Ridder, main event, Abu Dhabi, July 28.` I was like, what happened to the other one? [Laughs]. I don’t know what happened to anything.”
Despite the sudden change, Whittaker didn`t hesitate to accept the offer. Earlier in the month, de Ridder had become the first fighter to defeat Bo Nickal, winning in the co-main event of UFC Des Moines. While this victory didn`t immediately place “RDR” high in the rankings, it significantly boosted his visibility and made the fight an attractive option for Whittaker.
Whittaker stated that the date was the primary factor in his acceptance. He acknowledged De Ridder isn`t currently ranked in the top 10 but highlighted his recent win over Bo Nickal and his status as a former two-division champion in ONE, recognizing him as a tough opponent who will likely enter the top 10 soon. He saw it as a challenging fight scheduled for a convenient time in July, leading him to say yes immediately.
He felt everything aligned well for the fight, noting it`s 11 weeks away, a five-round main event, which he enjoys, and added lightheartedly that he likes having his face on a poster, which his children also appreciate. He looks forward to the upcoming challenge.
For Whittaker, the fight against de Ridder provides an opportunity to bounce back from the difficult loss to Chimaev and re-establish himself as a serious contender in the 185-pound division. At 34 years old, “The Reaper” is aware that his time in MMA is not limitless and he is focused on achieving his remaining career goals.
Whittaker expressed anticipation for the fight, emphasizing his desire to return to the win column. He mentioned having “a couple years left” in his career and aspiring for a “fairytale ending,” inspired by recent successes of other fighters. His ultimate goal is to work his way back to a title shot, win the belt, and retire, which he describes as the dream he is currently pursuing.
UFC Abu Dhabi is set to take place on July 26 at Etihad Arena.
An editorial perspective noted excitement for the Whittaker-De Ridder fight, seeing it as a potential pathway for De Ridder to secure a title shot similar to Dricus du Plessis, while giving Whittaker a chance to rebound and re-enter the title picture. This matchup was described as “perfect matchmaking.”
