The next few months feature some huge middleweight clashes including the division’s next title fight.
Khamzat Chimaev is currently preparing to face Dricus du Plessis in the main event of UFC 319 in his first UFC title fight.
Following UFC 318, Chimaev has also been going back and forth with Paulo Costa after the former title challenger bounced back with a decisive win.
While there are several other big matchups that are set to take place in the near future at 185 pounds, for many, this weekend’s main event is right near the top of that list.
Robert Whittaker returns to face Reinier de Ridder at UFC Abu Dhabi in a matchup that has big stakes attached for both men.
Khamzat Chimaev warns Reinier de Ridder that Robert Whittaker is ‘not that easy’ despite his UFC 308 loss
Even after the way that his last fight went, Robert Whittaker is considered to be a big step up for Reinier de Ridder at UFC Abu Dhabi.
The former middleweight champion has suffered some big setbacks in his career but he’s been able to maintain his position as one of the top middleweights for a long time.
Last time out, he suffered one of his most devastating losses, having been submitted by Khamzat Chimaev in the first round.
After months of speculation following the cancellation of their originally scheduled bout regarding how Chimaev would look in the later rounds, fans didn’t get to find out.
However, ‘Borz’ doesn’t think that just because he was able to implement his game plan by force and finish Whittaker on the ground that ‘RDR’ will be able to do the same.
He gave his thoughts on the matchup in a recent video clip posted by the UFC.
“It will be a good fight, tough fight, and both guys are good fighters. I think the other guy is more of a wrestler, a grappler. He’s going to try to take him down and submit. Robert is not that easy of an opponent like everyone thinks. I got the chance, I [did] damage fast but it’s not that easy opponent like everyone thinks. So, it will be fun to watch that fight.”
Reinier de Ridder wants to make a statement at UFC Abu Dhabi by stopping Robert Whittaker
Reinier de Ridder knows that a win over Robert Whittaker could earn him a title shot if he puts on an impressive display.
With other big matchups coming up, that he is hoping will underdeliver, de Ridder believes that getting his hand raised isn’t enough to push his way to the front of the line.
“It all depends on how the fight goes,” de Ridder told MMA Junkie. “Like a win is not enough. I need to finish him. I need to finish him early, hopefully spectacularly.”
‘The Dutch Knight’ has also claimed that if he comes through the fight unscathed and with a win, he will be ready to step into the title fight at UFC 319 on August 16.