Feb 17, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Robert Whittaker reacts following the match against Paulo Costa during UFC 298 at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

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Robert Whittaker vs Reinier De Ridder Preview, Predictions And MMA Betting Odds

Get to know the betting odds, predictions and picks for the upcoming Robert Whittaker vs Reinier De Ridder fight!

Feb 17, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Robert Whittaker reacts following the match against Paulo Costa during UFC 298 at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The UFC’s Middle East tour continues with an intriguing matchup. Robert Whittaker finds himself back in familiar territory, ready to bounce back from a tough loss. The former middleweight champion has become a regular fixture in these desert shows, building quite the resume in the region.

Meanwhile, Reinier de Ridder arrives as the rising contender looking to make his mark. The Dutch fighter has assembled an impressive UFC record since his arrival. His grappling credentials from ONE Championship speak volumes about his ground game prowess. This clash represents a classic striker versus grappler matchup that fans love to dissect.

Robert Whittaker vs Reinier De Ridder Preview

Robert Whittaker brings a 27-8 record into this contest with clear advantages in experience. Standing 6’0″ with a 73 inch reach, he’s built his career on precise striking and excellent takedown defense. His stats tell the story of a well-rounded fighter who lands 4.54 significant strikes per minute with 43% accuracy. Most importantly, his 81% takedown defense has kept elite wrestlers at bay throughout his career.

De Ridder presents a completely different challenge with his 20-2 record and southpaw stance. The 6’4″ fighter enjoys a significant five inch reach advantage that could prove crucial. His striking output is lower at 3.25 significant strikes per minute, but his 60% accuracy shows quality over quantity. Where he truly shines is on the ground, averaging 4.74 takedowns per fight with 1.4 submission attempts. His recent knockout of Bo Nickal showed improved striking, but grappling remains his bread and butter.

Robert Whittaker vs Reinier De Ridder MMA Betting Odds

The oddsmakers have this fight nearly pick ’em. According to Fanduel, Robert Whittaker sits as a slight favorite at -158. Meanwhile, Reinier De Ridder comes back at +134, reflecting the close nature of this matchup. These odds suggest genuine uncertainty about the outcome, which makes sense given the contrasting styles involved.

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The odds for the fight going the distance have also come out. The probability of the fight ending before the final bell is slightly higher and the odds (-260) reflect that. The odds for the fight seeing the judges scorecards stand at +194.

Robert Whittaker vs Reinier De Ridder Predictions And Picks

This matchup hinges on where the fight takes place and how quickly it gets there. Whittaker’s 80% takedown defense looks impressive on paper, but recent opponents like Chimaev found success on the ground. De Ridder’s length and wrestling background could pose similar problems for the Australian striker. De Ridder’s size advantage becomes crucial in the clinch and against the fence. His ability to control position and work for submissions gives him multiple paths to victory.

Whittaker’s best chance lies in keeping this fight standing and using his superior boxing. His footwork and counter striking have troubled many elite middleweights over the years. If he can stuff the early takedown attempts, his striking volume should take over as the fight progresses.

If we bet on the fight, we are going with Reinier De Ridder to win the fight via submission.

(Image Credit: Gary A. Vasquez – Imagn Images)

Reinier de Ridder

Robert Whittaker

UFC Abu Dhabi

Zaid Quraishi

mma

I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!