UFC will deliver a unique showdown that fans are looking for when Robert Whittaker and Reinier de Ridder face off in Abu Dhabi. The two fighters have a well-known rivalry, representing two very different styles and strategies, which always means an exciting fight for both experts and casual fans. Some of the best crypto sports betting sites have already come out with the odds on who will win, how they’ll win, how long the match will last, as well as almost every other measurable outcome of the match.
Robert Whittaker: The Redemption Arc
Robert Whittaker, born in New Zealand and raised in Sidney, is one of the most respected fighters in UFC history. The 33-year-old became the UFC Middleweight champion in 2017 and held the belt until 2019 when he lost to Adesanya. Since then, Whittaker has remained one of the best fighters in the game (26–7, nine KOs, five submissions) but never managed to regain the title. He’s known for his explosive style, which focuses on striking and distance management. He managed to win against fighters such as Darren Till, Jared Cannonier, and Marvin Vettori. However, now that there are more new fighters in the poll for the championship, Whittaker will have to work harder to remain relevant. It could be his motivation for the upcoming match.
Reinier de Ridder: Royalty in the Octagon
Reinier “The Dutch Knight” de Ridder has a dominant resume, but it is limited to one championship. At one point, he held the championship belt for both Middleweight and Light Heavyweight. His most impressive victories were both by submission against Aung La N Sang and Vitaly Bigdash. At 34, the Dutchman is trying his hand at UFC, and at this point, no one knows if his grappling abilities will be enough to make him competitive in the toughest ring out there. A knockout loss to Anatoly Malykhin in a heavyweight bout in late 2022 suggests that it may be a challenge.
Supporting Cast
There’s also a co-main event happening at the same time that’s not getting the attention it deserves. Experts from Cryptomaniaks have written that for crypto sports betting sites, these side events present a perfect opportunity for a parlay bet. Rising light heavyweight Magomed Ankalaev faces veteran Johnny Walker while Edson Barboza takes on Movsar Evloev. In the flyweight category, Muhammad Mokaev faces Matt Schnell.
Style Clash
The core appeal of the fight between Whittaker and de Ridder lies in the stark contrast between their styles. The showdown between the two won’t be only about who the more competent fighter is but also about which approach to martial arts is more effective. Whittaker, a former karate champion. This is noticeable in how he fights, as he lands fast and explosive strikes and uses angles brilliantly. He has also proven that he’s able to strike down grapplers, and that will come in handy in July. De Ridder focused on control and submission chains. He has a preferred method of winning a fight, which is getting the opponent on the ground and finishing the job. With an 80 percent submission win rate – the method has been proven to be effective. Whittaker, therefore, has one goal, and that’s to keep standing as long as he can. This will tire de Ridder out and give him a chance to strike a blow. The fight is about who can push their approach further and overpower the opponent by dominating in terms of style.
How the Fight Will Affect the Division
The fight could have an effect on the division as a whole. If Whittaker wins with ease he will reclaim the number two spot in the division. This will set him up for a fight against Chimaev or a rematch with Du Plessis. Most experts and bookies claim that this is the more likely outcome. On the other hand, a win would be a huge surprise and a big deal for de Ridder. It would immediately bring him up to the top five in the UFC. Such a leap never happened to a debutant, but de Ridder is a fighter like no other.
To Sum Up
A fight between Robert Whittaker and Reinier de Ridder would be one for the history books. It’s already treated as such by the sports betting sites. Both fighters are motivated as much as they can be to win and use the victory to advance in the division. For Whittaker it’s also a chance to try and run for the title. They also differ greatly when it comes to style so the fight will be a treat for experts that can finally see in real time how the two approaches work when they face each other. De Ridder will try to win by pinning Whittaker who in term will go for a knockout.
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