Latest news with #Whittaker
USA Today
an hour ago
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC on ABC 9 pre-event facts: Robert Whittaker closing in on key 185-pound records
The first of two octagon stops in Abu Dhabi this year goes down Saturday with UFC on ABC 9, which takes place at Etihad Arena on Yas Island with a main card on ABC following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+. Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker (26-8 MMA, 17-6 UFC) headlines the card in a five-round showdown with former ONE Championship titleholder Reinier de Ridder (19-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC). For more on the numbers behind the matchup and card, check below for MMA Junkie's pre-event facts for UFC on ABC 9. Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder Robert Whittaker Whittaker is the only New Zealand-born fighter in history to win a UFC championship. Whittaker is one of 15 undisputed middleweight champions in UFC history. Whittaker is 14-4 since he moved up to the UFC middleweight division in November 2014. Whittaker's 14 victories in UFC middleweight competition are tied for third-most in divisional history behind Michael Bisping (16) and Brad Tavares (16). Whittaker's nine fight-night bonuses for UFC middleweight bouts are second-most in divisional history behind Anderson Silva (12). Reinier de Ridder De Ridder is a former two-division ONE Championship titleholder at light heavyweight and middleweight. De Ridder has earned 18 of his 20 career victories by stoppage. That includes all three of his UFC wins. Petr Yan vs. Marcus McGhee Petr Yan (18-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC) became the first fighter in UFC history to lose a title by disqualification against Sterling at UFC 259. Yan is one of two fighters in UFC history to hold the interim and undisputed bantamweight titles. Renan Barao also accomplished the feat. Yan's 10 knockdowns landed in UFC bantamweight competition are tied with Marlon Vera and Cody Garbrandt for second-most in divisional history behind Montel Jackson (11). Shara Magomedov vs. Marc-Andre Barriault Shara Magomedov (15-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) is one of 11 fighters in UFC history to earn a knockout stemming from a spinning backfist. He accomplished the feat at UFC 308. Magomed land 62.4 percent of his significant strikes in UFC middleweight competition, the second-best rate in divisional history behind Anthony Hernandez (63.4 percent). Marc-Andre Barriault's (17-9 MMA, 6-8 UFC) victory at the 4:56 mark of Round 3 at UFC 260 marked the second latest stoppage in UFC middleweight history behind Garreth McLellan (4:58, Round 3) at UFC Fight Night 76. Nikita Krylov vs. Bogdan Guskov Nikita Krylov (29-9 MMA, 11-8 UFC)is 4-5 since he returned to the UFC for a second stint in September 2018. Krylov is 13-7 since he dropped to the light heavyweight division in March 2014. Krylov has earned 27 of his 29 career victories by stoppage. He's finished 22 of those wins in Round 1. Bogdan Guskov (17-3 MMA, 3-1 UFC) has earned all 17 of his career victories by stoppage. Bryce Mitchell vs. Said Nurmagomedov Bryce Mitchell (17-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) drops to the UFC bantamweight division after spending his previous 11 octagon appearances at featherweight. Mitchell is 2-3 in his past five fights after starting his career 15-0. Mitchell is one of three fighters in UFC history to earn a Twister submission victory. He accomplished the feat at UFC on ESPN 7. Chan Sung Jung and Da'Mon Blackshear also won with the technique. Muslim Salikhov vs. Carlos Leal Muslim Salikhov (21-5 MMA, 8-4 UFC) is the only fighter in UFC history to earn multiple knockouts stemming from a spinning wheel kick. There's been 15 overall finishes in the company with the technique. Davey Grant vs. Da'Mon Blackshear Davey Grant (15-7 MMA, 7-6 UFC) is one of four fighters in UFC history to earn a submission by inverted triangle choke. Cole Miller, Olivier Aubin-Mercier and Jordan Leavitt also accomplished the feat. Da'Mon Blackshear (17-7-1 MMA, 6-3-1 UFC) is one of three fighters in UFC history to earn a submission victory by Twister. He accomplished the feat at UFC on ESPN 51. Bryce Mitchell and Chan Sung Jung have also won with the technique. Amanda Ribas vs. Tabatha Ricci Amanda Ribas (12-6 MMA, 7-5 UFC) defends 65 percent of all opponent significant strike attempts in UFC strawweight competition, the third-highest rate in divisional history behind Danielle Taylor (71.7 percent) and Gillian Robertson (66.1 percent). Ribas defends 83.3 percent of all opponent takedown attempts in UFC strawweight competition, the second-highest rate in divisional history behind Jinh Yu Frey (90.3 percent). UFC research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on Twitter @MJCflipdascript.
USA Today
5 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC on ABC 9's Robert Whittaker: Reinier de Ridder 'hasn't fought anyone like me'
ABU DHABI – Robert Whittaker thinks Reinier de Ridder won't want any part of striking with him in the UFC on ABC 9 main event and will be looking for takedowns early and often. Former UFC middleweight champ Whittaker (26-8 MMA, 17-6 UFC) takes on former two-division ONE Championship titleholder de Ridder (19-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC) in Saturday's headliner at Etihad Arena on Yas Island (ABC, ESPN, ESPN+), with some important stakes in the weight class amid a big stretch of fights. Although de Ridder has had a solid start to his octagon tenure thus far with finishes of Gerald Meerschaert, Kevin Holland Bo Nickal, it's Whittaker's belief that this is too big a leap in competition, and it'll show from the outset. "He hasn't fought anyone like me," Whittaker told MMA Junkie at Wednesday's UFC On ABC 9 media day. "Landing my mitts and my getting my hands on him, that's the plan. I'm fast. My striking I think is better than his. So I've got to find the holes, the opening and close them up." When visualizing the fight, Whittaker thinks de Ridder will be keen to get him to the ground as quickly as possible, but he has no intention of allowing it. "He's going to try to take me down straight away I envision," Whittaker said. "He's got good striking, good stand up but he understands where my strengths are, he understands where his strengths may lie and I think he'll want to go to the ground to utilize that." Whittaker, 34, will return to action for the first time since a Submission of the Year loss to Khamzat Chimaev in a title eliminator at UFC 308 in October. His teeth were mangled in nasty fashion from the technique, and he was forced to take some time off to get surgery and recover. That injury has been left long in the past by Whittaker at this point, he said, and he's eager to show he can get back in the title mix at 185 pounds. "I'm 100 percent," Whittaker said. "Recovery wasn't that long. I just had them taken out and resettled. If anything they were better than they were before, and the price was paid by Uncle Dana, so it's working good."
Associated Press
11 hours ago
- Health
- Associated Press
Broad Spectrum DeTOX® Founder Dr. Susan Whittaker to Present at Healthy America 2025 Conference in Washington, D.C.
Washington, DC July 22, 2025 --( )-- Broad Spectrum DeTOX® (BSD) founder Dr. Susan V. Whittaker will be a featured speaker at the upcoming Healthy America 2025 National Conference, taking place July 23–25 in Washington, D.C. Known for her research in environmental stressors and bioenergetic scanning, Dr. Whittaker will present BSD's latest advancements in non-invasive wellness assessment. Her talk will focus on identifying how environmental and energetic stressors may affect overall well-being and how technology can assist in mapping those risks. At the BSD booth, attendees will have the opportunity to receive a complimentary scan using proprietary frequency-based technology. This system evaluates 12 toxin categories, including heavy metals, mold, pesticides, and other energetic imprints. The scan is designed to offer insights into how these factors may be impacting a person's vitality. 'We're seeing individuals with ongoing fatigue, brain fog, and anxiety often unaware of potential environmental contributors,' says Dr. Whittaker. 'Our approach aims to provide greater awareness and targeted support.' Dr. Whittaker brings over 20 years of experience in integrative health, with a focus on bridging scientific innovation and practical wellness applications. She developed the BSD protocol to support individuals seeking a non-pharmaceutical, data-informed path to wellness. About Wellsong Energetics and Broad Spectrum DeTOX® Wellsong Energetics and Broad Spectrum DeTOX® is a wellness protocol that utilizes a proprietary frequency-based scanning system and non-consumable energetic remedies. The system is designed to help individuals understand and address various toxin exposures through personalized, non-invasive approaches. Contact Information: Broad Spectrum Detox Dr. Sue Whittaker PhD 888-991-0007 x77 Contact via Email Read the full story here: Broad Spectrum DeTOX® Founder Dr. Susan Whittaker to Present at Healthy America 2025 Conference in Washington, D.C. Press Release Distributed by
Al Etihad
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
Full week of fan activities in the lead-up to UFC FIGHT NIGHT
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD) UFC FIGHT NIGHT will take centre stage at Etihad Arena on Saturday, July 26, with a thrilling middleweight showdown between former champion Robert Whittaker and undefeated Dutch contender Reinier de Ridder taking the headline slot. In the week leading up to the main event inside the Octagon, host city Abu Dhabi has coordinated an action-packed schedule of peripheral entertainment. Fight Week, from Monday, July 21, to Sunday, July 27, is offering fight fans immersive activities and exclusive opportunities, including the chance to meet the UFC athletes. Organised by UFC in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the week-long programme will transform Yas Island into a hotspot of fan engagement and fight week excitement. UFC's Fan Experience opened on Monday to the public at Yas Mall and will remain open throughout the week, providing visitors with the chance to explore interactive UFC activations, take part in UFC-themed challenges, and explore a range of exhibits celebrating the sport's greatest moments and champions. On Wednesday, July 23, Yas Mall will also host the official UFC Open Workouts, where fans can watch their favourite fighters train live in preparation for their upcoming bouts. Two days later, on July 25, fans who head to Etihad Arena for the official UFC Ceremonial Weigh-Ins will see the fighters step onto the scale and face-off one final time before fight night. Meanwhile, a special UFC Meet & Greet taking place on the same day at Yas Mall will give fans the chance to meet UFC stars Gilbert Burns and Gregory Rodrigues; pose for photos and create memories to take home. Burns, ranked No.10 at welterweight and a former title challenger, is known for his world-class Brazilian jiu-jitsu and heavy hands, while Rodrigues is coming off a dominant first-round knockout win over Jack Hermansson at last month's UFC 317, making a statement in his middleweight division. Fight Week will also feature the IMMAF Youth World Championships running from July 20 to 27, bringing together the next generation of MMA talent from around the world, as well as UAE Warriors, returning on July 23 and 24 at Space42 with a thrilling showcase of regional and international fighters. Together, these events reflect the capital's continued commitment to combat sports across all levels, from grassroots development to elite global competition. It all leads to UFC FIGHT NIGHT: Whittaker vs De Ridder on Saturday, July 26, which promises an unforgettable night of top-tier MMA action. Australian Whittaker faces undefeated contender Reinier de Ridder of the Netherlands in the main event. The card also features the return of former bantamweight champion Petr Yan against rising star Marcus McGhee, as well as blockbuster bouts between Bryce Mitchell and Said Nurmagomedov, Shara Magomedov taking on Marc-Andre Barriault, and Nikita Krylov against Bogdan Guskov.
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Robert Whittaker looks forward to stern test in Reinier de Ridder at UFC on ABC 9
The UFC is in the midst of a month-long middleweight division showcase, and Robert Whittaker is well aware of it. "The middleweight division over the next few is just moving now," Whittaker told MMA Junkie on Tuesday. "I feel like it was all kind of still for a little bit, but now everything's moving. There are some big fights on the way." Next in a line of big fights involves the former 185-pound champion, Whittaker, on Saturday when he takes on Reinier de Ridder in the UFC on ABC 9 main event at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Whittaker (26-8 MMA, 17-6 UFC) vs. de Ridder (20-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC) is happening on the heels of UFC 318 where Paulo Costa defeated Roman Kopylov and Brendan Allen beat Marvin Vettori in battles of ranked middleweights. The Aug. 9 UFC on ESPN 72 event is headlined by Roman Dolidze vs. Anthony Hernandez, which all leads to the biggest one the following week when Dricus Du Plessis puts his title on the line against Khamzat Chimaev in the UFC 319 headliner Aug. 16. With so much focus on the middleweight division, the onus is on Whittaker, who's No. 5 in the official UFC rankings, to make a statement against No. 12 de Ridder after getting quickly submitted by Chimaev in his most recent fight last October. "I want to bounce back," said Whittaker, who hasn't lost two fights in a row since his welterweight days in 2013-2014. "After losing, I've always gotten better and come back with a win. It's important for me to do that again to move toward the direction I want to go, which is that title." Whittaker said the biggest thing he learned from the Chimaev fight, in which he suffered a jaw injury from a vicious neck crank that forced him to submit, is that he "can't be complacent." Whittaker didn't elaborate on what he meant but specified there were things about his last training camp that he didn't like. "It's hard to explain, going to take forever to go through," Whittaker said. "It's hard. It's a bigger thing to unpack. I don't know. It is what it is. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose." In de Ridder, Whittaker is up against a fighter who's been on a roll since making his UFC debut last November. While Whittaker's taken his time to get back in the cage, de Ridder, a former ONE Championship two-division title holder, has rattled off three wins in a row – all finishes – against Gerald Meerschaert, Kevin Holland and Bo Nickal to immediately establish himself as a contender. For Whittaker, the matchup makes sense, and he knows what he's facing. "He's very good at taking the fight where you're uncomfortable," Whittaker said. "He's got a particular set of skills and a particular game plan that, if he executes well, he gives you a lot of problems. Bo found that out the hard way. I'm looking to be first and take the game where I'm strong. ... "I love being aggressive. I'm a striker by heart, so I want to try and get my mitts on him."
