UFC Abu Dhabi takeaways: Why Whittaker's loss is good for the middleweight division
Briefly

Reinier de Ridder achieved a split decision victory against Robert Whittaker at UFC Fight Night, placing the middleweight division on high alert. Despite facing adversity and being knocked down, de Ridder rallied to secure the win, marking his fourth consecutive triumph in the UFC since his debut last November. In another significant result, former bantamweight champion Petr Yan won by unanimous decision against Marcus McGhee, showcasing his continuing threat in the division. Whittaker's loss highlights the evolving dynamics within the competition.
Reinier de Ridder defeated former UFC champion Robert Whittaker by split decision at UFC Fight Night, marking de Ridder's fourth consecutive win in the promotion.
Petr Yan secured a unanimous decision victory over Marcus McGhee, affirming his position as a top contender in the bantamweight division.
Robert Whittaker's history includes winning the interim title in 2017 yet being denied the chance to unify the title against top competitors like Bisping or St-Pierre.
De Ridder's comeback against Whittaker demonstrated significant resilience and further emphasizes the competitive nature of the UFC's middleweight division.
Read at ESPN.com
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