The most important event of UFC Abu Dhabi ended with some controversy.
The former two-division champion Reinier de Ridder was almost eliminated in his first UFC headliner against Robert Whittaker. In the Co-Main event of the evening, the former Bantamweight saw champion Petr Yan getting up about Marcus Mcghee.
Former UFC Middleweight Champion Whittaker dropped De Ridder in round 3 of their five -round fight, but De Ridder survived to see the distance.
In the end De Ridder was given the victory of the Split Decision, with two of the three jury members who scored rounds 2, 4 and 5 for 'RDR'.
However, not everyone agreed with the judges.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Fans respond to Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder decision
After De Ridder's victory, the UFC shared the official score cards.
Mike Bell was the different judge, who gave Whittaker Rounds 1, 3 and 4.
“RDR did not win that 5th round WTF,” wrote a fan on X.
“So we're just going to hug on the cage without damage? SMH.”
“Round 1, 3 and 5 were Robert's. The sport is poor because of the scoring system,” wrote another fan.
“No judge gave Rob Round 5, despite the filling of each Takedown and outside beating the knight, stopping branchedowns must be added to the score criteria,” a fan complained.
“I had robbed. Very close fight tho …” said another fan.
Reinier de Ridder about whom he wants afterwards after the fourth consecutive UFC victory
De Ridder is not far away from a third world title in the UFC.
With a win over Whittaker, the former two-division champion should enter the top 5 of the middleweight on Tuesday.
Who wants to fight 'RDR' then?
The Dutch hunter says he has the winner of Champion Drus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev would like – the next title fight on UFC 319.
If not, De Ridder called former champion Israel Adesanya as a potential opponent in the UFC Abu Dhabi Post-Fight Show.
De Ridder said that Adesanya could also provide a great first title defense.