Reinier de Ridder eked out the biggest win of his career against Robert Whittaker.
De Ridder defeated Whittaker, a former UFC middleweight champion, via split decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47) in the UFC Abu Dhabi main event Saturday at Etihad Arena.
De Ridder survived a massive knockdown in the third round and outlasted Whittaker in the championship rounds to earn the judges' nod.
"I don't want to fight like this. This guy was too tough," De Ridder said in his postfight interview. "I want to finish a guy in the first round - it would be much better."
De Ridder, who made his UFC debut just last November, earned his fourth win in the promotion and third this year, cementing himself as a top middleweight contender. He was ranked No. 13 in the division coming in, while Whittaker was fifth.
The 34-year-old Dutchman said he hopes the UFC gives him a title shot next. Dricus Du Plessis is scheduled to defend the belt against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 on Aug. 16, while top contenders Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho are slated to meet in a potential title eliminator at UFC Paris on Sept. 6. But De Ridder wants to jump the line.
"Give me a chance to fight for the strap," De Ridder said.
Whittaker had a strong start in the fight, taking the first round on all three judges' scorecards. He picked De Ridder apart with punches and showed he was quicker and more technical.
De Ridder turned the tide in the second round, putting pressure on Whittaker and connecting with jabs and knees. De Ridder landed a hard knee to set up a takedown and then spent the last two minutes of the frame on top of Whittaker.
The third round was wild from start to finish. In the opening seconds, De Ridder punished Whittaker with strikes up against the fence and seemed to be looking for the finish. But then Whittaker dropped De Ridder with a massive overhand right, jumped on him, and started to land ground-and-pound. De Ridder managed to survive and get back to his feet. Then, two-and-a-half minutes into the round, he timed a solid takedown and spent the rest of it on top.
The pace slowed in the fourth round. De Ridder wore on Whittaker in the clinch, turning the fight into a grueling battle, and Whittaker visibly became fatigued. It was more of the same in the fifth, with De Ridder outworking Whittaker down the stretch to seal the decision win.
"He did what he said he was gonna do," Whittaker said. "The pressure was a lot."
De Ridder, who could be in consideration for Fighter of the Year following his third win in seven months, signed with the UFC last September. He previously competed under the ONE Championship banner, where he was a former two-division champion. De Ridder is riding a five-fight winning streak overall.
Whittaker, 34, has now suffered back-to-back losses and is 2-3 in his last five Octagon appearances.
