“RDR” wants gold.
Surging Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight contender Reinier de Riddernotched the biggest scalp of his Octagon career, edging out Robert Whittaker via split decision at UFC Abu Dhabi last night (Sat., July 27, 2025) inside Etihad Arena in the United Arab Emirates.
Once again, “RDR” defied the odds as the betting underdog, and this victory might just have punched his ticket to a title shot. History backs it up: the last two fighters to topple “The Reaper”—Khamzat Chimaev andDricus du Plessis—both earned cracks at the Middleweight crown.
Nevertheless, de Ridder believes he’s ready for a shot at the 185 lb strap.
“I’m a top-five fighter in the world; that’s a crazy thing to say,” de Ridder told UFC.com after his big win. “We’ll see where everything lands in the division over the next couple of months, but I’m ready to challenge for a title.”
“RDR” is right, as the Middleweight division has several big fights coming up in the next few months. Roman Dolidze facesAnthony Hernandez in two weeks, the Middleweight title fight follows a week later, and to kick off September, No. 1-ranked Nassourdine Imavovcollides with No. 6 Caio Borralho in a potential No. 1 contender bout.
In this unpredictable sport, timing is everything, and rankings don’t always dictate UFC title fight matchmaking. De Ridder could find himself in a title fight with a snap of a finger.
The 34-year-old Dutch destroyer is a perfect 4-0 in the UFC, with three finishes, and rides a red-hot five-fight winning streak.
Poll
Does Reinier de Ridder deserve a title shot?
44%
Needs one more
(48 votes)
4%
GIVE ME RDR VS. DDP NOW
(5 votes)
107 votes total Vote Now
For complete UFC Abu Dhabi results and play-by-play, click here.
