'Rob won': Fighters react to Reinier de Ridder beating Robert Whittaker at UFC on ABC 9
After making his promotion debut in September, former two-division ONE Championship titleholder de Ridder (20-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC) is now on the cusp of a title shot after he defeated Whittaker (26-9 MMA, 17-7 UFC) by split decision in the headliner at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
Check below for the top X (formerly Twitter) reactions to de Ridder beating Whittaker at UFC on ABC 9.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC Abu Dhabi: Fighters react to de Ridder beating Robert Whittaker
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
5 minutes ago
- USA Today
UFC on ESPN 71: How to watch Taira vs. Park, start time, Vegas lineup, odds, more
The UFC is back in its 'Sin City' home base with flyweights at the top of the lineup. Here's how to watch UFC on ESPN 71 with a short-notice 125-pound matchup in the headlining spot. Broadcast and streaming info UFC on ESPN 71 has a main card that airs at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN. The preliminary card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+ at 6 p.m. ET. Veteran broadcaster Karyn Bryant serves as desk anchor and host at UFC on ESPN 71. Former Invicta FC champion Michelle Waterson-Gomez, "The Ultimate Fighter 15" winner Michael Chiesa and UFC Hall of Famer Rashad Evans join her at the desk as analysts throughout the broadcast and on the post-fight show. UFC correspondent McKenzie Pavacich will conduct pre and post-fight interviews backstage with some of the athletes on the UFC on ESPN 71 card, as well as report additional real-time updates for the event. Brendan Fitzgerald will serve as the leading man on the mic from cageside at UFC on ESPN 71. He'll command play-by-play and be joined in the booth by UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping and former UFC/WEC champion Dominick Cruz. Main event: Tatsuro Taira Main event: HyunSung Park Co-main event: Chris Duncan Co-main event: Mateusz Rebecki UFC debut: John Yannis UFC on ESPN 71 lineup MAIN CARD (ESPN, ESPN+, 9 p.m. ET) PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN, ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET) UFC on ESPN 71 main card betting odds UFC on ESPN 71 prelim betting odds UFC on ESPN 71 full fight videos
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Robert Whittaker 'disappointed but not disheartened' after UFC on ABC 9 loss
Robert Whittaker is already looking ahead after falling short at UFC on ABC 9. Whittaker (26-9 MMA, 17-7 UFC) was lost a split decision to Reinier de Ridder (21-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC) in Saturday's main event at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. He almost finished De Ridder when he dropped him in Round 3, but the former ONE dual-champion hung tough to outlast him. "OK everybody, it's a couple days since the fight, thought I'd give you all an update," Whittaker said on his Instagram. "I'm disappointed, but I'm not disheartened. There were a lot of things I liked about the fight, there were a lot of things I didn't, but I'm going to take it all, head back to the gym, sit with the team, pick it apart and then get back on the horse. That's all you can do. Congratulations to de Ridder. He had a particular game plan, he executed it well, it got him the win. It is what it is sometimes. I'm going to learn from this experience and move forward." Whittaker has his sights set on competing at home in Australia next, something he hasn't done since he lost the middleweight title to Israel Adesanya in October 2019. "This isn't the end of Robert Whittaker, this is just another learning curve, another speed bump," Whittaker added. "I'm going to spend some time with my family, going to just rest and recover a little bit and then hopefully get back on an Australian card. It's been a while and honestly, I'm longing for it. It's been a while since I've fought in Australia, and I'd love to fight here again. It's time, but that's me. Thank you very much everybody, tuning out."
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
UFC on ESPN 71 commentary, broadcast team set: Who is on call for UFC Apex return?
The UFC closes it July schedule Saturday with UFC on ESPN 71, which goes down at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. As always, some marquee on-air talent will be there in "Sin City" to help guide viewers through the experience. Details of who will work as commentators and analysts for each event have been acquired by MMA Junkie through a person with knowledge of the situation, and you can see the scheduled broadcast team below. UFC on ESPN 71 broadcast The entire UFC on ESPN 71 card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+ in the U.S. The main card lineup is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. ET following prelims slated to start at 6 p.m. ET. UFC on ESPN 71 desk analysts Veteran broadcaster Karyn Bryant serves as desk anchor and host at UFC on ESPN 71. Former Invicta FC champion Michelle Waterson-Gomez, "The Ultimate Fighter 15" winner Michael Chiesa and UFC Hall of Famer Rashad Evans join her at the desk as analysts throughout the broadcast and on the post-fight show. UFC on ESPN 71 roving reporter UFC correspondent McKenzie Pavacich will conduct pre and post-fight interviews backstage with some of the athletes on the UFC on ESPN 71 card, as well as report additional real-time updates for the event. UFC on ESPN 71 octagon announcer It's time! Legendary octagon announcer Bruce Buffer will introduce the fighters before battle and read official bout results inside the cage at UFC on ESPN 71. UFC on ESPN 71 cageside commentators Brendan Fitzgerald will serve as the leading man on the mic from cageside at UFC on ESPN 71. He'll command play-by-play and be joined in the booth by UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping and former UFC/WEC champion Dominick Cruz.
