How Reinier de Ridder found success against Robert Whittaker
All I can say is, if Reinier de Ridder ever fights Dricus Du Plessis, it’s going to look like a Tom & Jerry episode. RDR has an optically goofy style, but it just continues to work. The former two-division ONE world champion passed his toughest test yet in a split-decision victory over former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker last weekend. RDR was far from perfect, but this win cannot be discounted against such excellent competition. Now riding a five-fight win streak, with four coming in the UFC, de Ridder has proven that he deserves to be considered for a title opportunity down the line. From goofball to potential gold, let’s examine what RDR did well along with some mistakes that may cause issues for him in his next matchup.
In this incredibly close bout, RDR did his best to play to his strengths. Possessing a significant height and reach advantage, he was able to post and jab to keep Whittaker at bay, although I do think he could have done a better job of advancing early on. RDR’s physical traits as well as grappling expertise proved enough of a conundrum to stifle his opponent and make up for his deficiencies.
Although Whittaker was faster, RDR was able to use his judo and jiu-jitsu background to slow the fight down. While RDR did not succeed on the majority of his takedown attempts, the main reason he won the contest was control in the clinch. This is a rather lackluster way to win, but in terms of visuals, it looks favorable to the judges. In a similar way to how Mario Bautista bested Jose Aldo (although not as egregious), de Ridder did not need to succeed with all of his takedown attempts. All he needed to do was control Rob against the fence and land enough damage to edge out a victory.
RDR’s pressure and the constant takedown threat were enough to stall Whittaker, who typically relies on blitzing in and out like guerilla warfare. While Whittaker did find success in this way, RDR was able to keep him perpetually guessing. RDR constantly attempted a single-leg takedown (due to Whittaker’s wide stance) off of his jab. Again, he didn’t need to get Rob down, just get ahold of him. The same holds for when Rob would throw a punch, with RDR being ready to time a takedown. This incessant barrage at the point of attack swung the odds in de Ridder’s favor. RDR’s button-mashing in terms of takedowns also allowed him to avoid counters. After throwing his jab, RDR was already on his way to commit to a takedown, enabling him to avoid a counter punch. This is not without risk, as once an opponent can pick up on this it becomes predictable.
In round 3, RDR jabs, then completes a takedown (a double leg this time), and is simultaneously able to duck under a right hook counter from Whittaker.
RDR’s length and judo mastery allowed him to exert control like a giant spider. Once he had a grip on Rob, he typically held him there, always the one controlling the clinch. It must have been incredibly frustrating for Whittaker to thwart takedown after takedown, only to find his back pressed against the cage. RDR’s grips and trips were a sight to behold. We frequently saw him try to trip Whittaker backwards from the body lock, and try to kick out the standing leg when Whittaker defended a single-leg takedown. RDR hiked Rob’s leg up high on a couple of occasions, then attempted to sweep out the other leg, making his opponent extremely off balance. To Rob’s credit, he did a fantastic job of posting and remaining on his feet.
To continue along that vein: Rob is a crafty veteran, and there is little he has not seen. Against a lesser opponent, he would probably have been able to escape the clinch. RDR prevented this by specific grips on his opposition. To maintain control, de Ridder focused on grasping the wrist as well as underhooking the tricep. This kept Rob confined and unable to maneuver, like he was stuck in quicksand. Collar ties also played a role, which helped de Ridder land knees to the body, which we will touch on next.
During rounds one and five, de Ridder grasps Rob’s wrist and tricep, immobilizing him. His Judo became a labyrinth that Whittaker struggled to avoid completely.
A final way de Ridder eked out this fight is by his staple knee to the body, which Bo Nickal knows all too well. This close-range strike paired well with his other attacks and also meant Rob was not safe anywhere. RDR could keep Whittaker at a distance with his 79-inch reach, pressure him with takedowns, and also land knees to the body at short range. RDR could attack from both near and far, presenting danger at every turn.
Similarly to his takedown attempts, de Ridder’s brutal knees to the body allowed him to halt Rob’s offense, set traps, and break him down over time. Knees are a perfect tool to choose in the clinch. Being that RDR spent a good portion of time here, knees allowed him to create damage and tally points for the judges. When in open space, I thought de Ridder continued to be creative with his utilization of knees, as we all know he can be.
RDR incorporated knees to the body either off his strikes or off of Whittaker’s. For one, de Ridder commonly threw a body knee off of his jab. Rob is an intelligent fighter, but he was caught between a rock and a hard place. After de Ridder jabbed, it was difficult to know what was coming, that being either a takedown attempt or a knee to the body. If Rob dropped to anticipate sprawling, he might instead run right into a knee. Moreover, when anticipating blocking punches, one’s body will inevitably shell up and constrict, to create a smaller target. When Whittaker did this, he crunched right into de Ridder’s knee.
As mentioned, RDR fired a knee to the body to deter Rob’s offense. As Rob advanced and looked to land attacks, he would often be met with a crushing knee to the gut. RDR landed a knee to the abdomen when Whittaker jabbed, crossed, etc. For a guy as quick and blitz-happy as Rob, this was a smart way to bring Icarus back down to Earth. The knee to the body could also be used to set up the clinch. For instance, as Rob had his breath taken away by the knee, it was easier to grab hold of him as he was hurt and on the retreat, which occurred later in round 2. Additionally, as Whittaker grew to anticipate the knee, RDR could use this to bait him. Later in round 4, de Ridder fakes a knee to set up a left hook attempt.
As we have laid out, there is more than meets the eye when it comes to RDR. He was able to keep his opponent guessing with his selection of knees and grappling, and strikes that came from all angles. While certainly leaving much to be desired technically speaking, there are very few training partners that can even come close to mimicking him, thus making him a nightmare to prepare for. RDR almost looks to be reinventing the wheel by how he can make the most unorthodox of decisions work for him. For instance, RDR found success landing a huge looping overhand that could be seen from a different time zone. However, I am not going to act as if RDR is insurmountable. His messy striking and defensive misfires got him into trouble against Whittaker, and may rear their head again.
The first thing I noticed was that RDR often retreats linearly, relying on his long wingspan to keep danger at a distance. His takedown threat and skill with knees help, but backing up in a straight line can be a recipe for disaster, as it allows the other fighter to track down his target and trap them. For a fighter like RDR, reach is his best friend, and he would do well to circle more to maintain octagon control. Whittaker’s blitzes were a perfect storm for defensive movement like RDR, as Whittaker could lunge in and try to catch him as he was moving backwards. One of Rob’s favorite combinations during his performance was a basic 1-2, which he attempted as he pressed forward, throwing the cross as RDR retreated backwards.
RDR’s striking defense last week had me perplexed that he did not get clipped more than he did. While the above descriptions of his style certainly slowed the opponent down to the point where de Ridder looked less vulnerable, there are still bones to pick. RDR telegraphed punches and overextended by a country mile, causing him to be off balance on more than one occasion. While he kept his hands high, he did not seem adept at evading/blocking damage without retreating straight backwards. Whittaker regularly got the better of him in exchanges with his cleaner fundamentals. As mentioned by the commentary team, when RDR throws the knee in space, his left hand drops, which a future opponent may use to counter him. He often throws a jab first or obtains a collar tie or clinch to throw the knee, which helps. During the times he does not, though, he may be open.
A perfect example of what I am referring to is shown during round 3. RDR had Rob hurt, landing a body knee and left hook. Yet, Whittaker is one of the best in the business at fighting when he is hurt. RDR’s lackluster head movement and defensive atrophies mean that he is there to be hit, as seen by how Whittaker timed a crushing right hook over the top to fell him.
I do not mean to sit here and criticize one of the best on the planet. RDR is a marvelous fighter whose visual clumsiness is balanced with shockingly effective offense, that being devastating knees to the body and devilishly crafty grappling. Just like the running joke with DDP, de Ridder appears beatable on paper, but he just can’t read. A win over a former champion means he is right in the mix for title contention, and his one-of-a-kind skillset gives him the means to hold the crown. No longer just an export from ONE, de Ridder has unequivocally proven himself.
