UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. de Ridder Preview

Former ONE Championship two-division champion Reinier de Ridder (20-2) will take a massive step up in competition when he faces ex-UFC middleweight titleholder Robert Whittaker (26-8) in a pivotal bout between proven veterans. 

Whittaker, a perennial top contender since losing his belt in 2019, has consistently battled elite names and holds signature wins over Ronaldo “Jacaré” Souza, Yoel Romero (twice), Darren Till, Jared Cannonier, Kelvin Gastelum, Marvin Vettori, and Paulo Costa. His most recent outing was a tough first-round submission loss to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308 on October 26, but his résumé remains one of the most accomplished in the division.

De Ridder enters the UFC with momentum and a dangerous finishing rate, compiling a 20-2 professional record with 18 wins inside the distance—13 by submission. His only two defeats came via TKO against Anatoly Malykhin in ONE Championship. Since joining the UFC, “The Dutch Knight” has made waves with back-to-back stoppages over Gerald Meerschaert, Kevin Holland, and Bo Nickal, all at UFC on ESPN 67 on May 3. His aggressive grappling, positional control, and submission arsenal have quickly translated to the Octagon.

In this matchup, Whittaker holds key advantages in striking efficiency, movement, and experience. “The Reaper” will look to control distance with his jab, straight right, and head kicks, while using lateral movement to keep de Ridder from initiating tie-ups. Despite the Chimaev loss, Whittaker remains one of the most disciplined and durable fighters in the UFC. His ability to maintain tempo, avoid overcommitting, and land sharp counters will be essential in keeping the fight upright.

De Ridder’s best chance lies in closing the distance early and dragging the fight to the mat. His performance against Bo Nickal, a gifted wrestler in his own right, proved his ability to dominate high-level grapplers. The key will be securing positional control quickly and avoiding extended striking exchanges, where his previous TKO losses show a clear vulnerability. Without early takedowns, his path to victory narrows considerably.

Pick: Robert Whittaker 1.55 | Dafabet

In a second middleweight bout, Shara Magomedov (15-1) returns to action against Canadian veteran Marc-André Barriault (17-9, 1 NC) in what promises to be a high-impact striking battle. Magomedov is coming off the first loss of his professional career—a decision defeat to Michael Page at UFC Fight Night 250 on February 1. Prior to that setback, he rode an 11-fight win streak with 10 finishes, including a sensational double-spinning backfist KO of Armen Petrosyan at UFC 308 on October 26 that remains one of the most memorable highlights in recent UFC history.

Despite the loss to Page, Magomedov remains one of the most dynamic strikers in the division. His four UFC wins—two via finish—have featured pace, creativity, and explosive striking sequences that overwhelm opponents. Against Barriault, he’ll seek to reestablish himself with variety and rhythm disruption, attacking from angles and keeping the Canadian off balance from the start.

Barriault, meanwhile, brings toughness and relentless forward pressure but has endured a rough patch. After suffering three consecutive stoppage losses in 2023—two in the first round—he rebounded at UFC 315 on May 10 with a first-round TKO over Bruno Silva. That performance reminded fans of his power and resolve, but questions remain about his durability when absorbing early punishment.

In this matchup, Barriault will look to close the gap, force Magomedov into exchanges, and test his defense in the pocket. However, if he absorbs too much damage early, Magomedov’s athleticism and accuracy could take over. Magomedov’s footwork and diversity of strikes are likely to give him the edge in open space.

Pick: Shara Magomedov 1.19 | Dafabet