Whittaker was hoping to rebound strong from a 2024 Submission of the Year loss to Khamzat Chimaev in October, but instead he's in uncharted territory after falling on the wrong side of the scorecards...

Reinier de Ridder narrowly defeats Robert Whittaker via split decision in the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi.

De Ridder has a record of 20 wins and two losses and is currently on a four-fight winning streak, and will be considered Whittaker's toughest test to date.