Mick Maynard's Shoes: What's next for Reinier de Ridder after UFC on ABC 9 win?
De Ridder (20-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC) got the split decision nod over Whittaker (26-9 MMA, 17-7 UFC) at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, to continue his whirlwind run since joining the organization in September.
The former two-division ONE Championship titleholder has met every challenge matchmakers have put in front of him, and with the 185-pound title on the line between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev in the UFC 319 headliner on Aug. 16 in Chicago, he's among the frontrunners to face the winner.
Should de Ridder get a title shot off the back of beating Whittaker in a decision that some felt was unjust? Watch the video above for thoughts and analysis on his future after UFC on ABC 9.
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USA Today
32 minutes ago
- USA Today
'Meet him head on': Michael Bisping advises Dricus Du Plessis how to fight Khamzat Chimaev
Michael Bisping warns Dricus Du Plessis not to back up against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319. Du Plessis (23-2 MMA, 9-0 UFC) defends his middleweight title against Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) in the Aug. 16 main event at United Center in Chicago (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+). Bisping acknowledges the work Chimaev has put in for his cardio, but doubts Du Plessis feels threatened. "Dricus Du Plessis, I mean, you cannot doubt this guy," Bisping said on ESPN's UFC on ABC 9 post show. "He said he wants to fight Khamzat on the ground. He said everyone else tries to avoid the ground with him, he said, 'I want to fight the best version of him. I want to test my skills against his on the ground.' He's not intimidated. "There are videos of Dricus Du Plessis online taking on an entire Gracie Barra blackbelt team and submitting them all one by one. He's big, he's strong, he can wrestle, he's got great judo, he's got knockout power. He's had a nose job so. He's got a great gas tank now as well. They hate each other. They absolutely hate each other." That being said, Bisping is confident that Chimaev will succeed in taking Du Plessis down. He advises the champion not to shy away from the early onslaught that the undefeated contender brings. "(Chimaev) is going to get you down," Bisping said. "Look at what he did to (Robert) Whittaker. Look at what he did to (Kamaru) Usman. Usman, with that fight you might go, 'Oh yeah, Usman's had his best days behind him.' Then, look what he did to Joaquin Buckley. "He's still got it. That's how good Khamzat Chimaev is at wrestling. So if you try and just do everything you can to avoid him and get away and run, you're just running away the entire time. He's going to get you. Nah, screw that. Meet him head on. Fight him at his own game."
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
'Meet him head on': Michael Bisping advises Dricus Du Plessis how to fight Khamzat Chimaev
Michael Bisping warns Dricus Du Plessis not to back up against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319. Du Plessis (23-2 MMA, 9-0 UFC) defends his middleweight title against Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) in the Aug. 16 main event at United Center in Chicago (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+). Bisping acknowledges the work Chimaev has put in for his cardio, but doubts Du Plessis feels threatened. "Dricus Du Plessis, I mean, you cannot doubt this guy," Bisping said on ESPN's UFC on ABC 9 post show. "He said he wants to fight Khamzat on the ground. He said everyone else tries to avoid the ground with him, he said, 'I want to fight the best version of him. I want to test my skills against his on the ground.' He's not intimidated. "There are videos of Dricus Du Plessis online taking on an entire Gracie Barra blackbelt team and submitting them all one by one. He's big, he's strong, he can wrestle, he's got great judo, he's got knockout power. He's had a nose job so. He's got a great gas tank now as well. They hate each other. They absolutely hate each other." That being said, Bisping is confident that Chimaev will succeed in taking Du Plessis down. He advises the champion not to shy away from the early onslaught that the undefeated contender brings. "(Chimaev) is going to get you down," Bisping said. "Look at what he did to (Robert) Whittaker. Look at what he did to (Kamaru) Usman. Usman, with that fight you might go, 'Oh yeah, Usman's had his best days behind him.' Then, look what he did to Joaquin Buckley. "He's still got it. That's how good Khamzat Chimaev is at wrestling. So if you try and just do everything you can to avoid him and get away and run, you're just running away the entire time. He's going to get you. Nah, screw that. Meet him head on. Fight him at his own game." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Michael Bisping issues warning to Dricus Du Plessis ahead of UFC 319
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
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." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Robert Whittaker gives insight on future after UFC Abu Dhabi loss
