Prediction: Robert Whittaker via TKO
Whittaker’s footwork, speed, and combination work are just on another level. He knows how to pick his shots, angle off, and that right high kick is still one of the cleanest and most dangerous weapons in MMA—comes up fast, barely telegraphed, and almost impossible to fully read, even for high-level guys.
Whittaker’s style is built to shut down pressure and movement-based threats. He’s in and out, never in the same spot, and makes you pay for overextending. Against someone like De Ridder, that’s key. De Ridder wants to get close, wrap you up, and drag you into his world where he’s a nightmare on top. And to his credit, the guy’s big—he uses every inch of his frame to blanket you, and his jiu-jitsu isn’t just solid, it’s smothering. If he gets on top, especially early, there’s a real chance he can control or even submit Whittaker.
That’s the one piece you can’t ignore. De Ridder doesn’t need to win minutes on the feet—he just needs one clean entry, one clinch, one trip or level change, and he’s where he wants to be. And when he’s on top, he’s not just holding you. He’s constantly climbing, pressuring, and hunting for the sub.
But still, I’m riding with Whittaker. His takedown defense is solid, his ability to get back up is underrated, and the real difference-maker here is the pace and precision. Whittaker’s not just going to let De Ridder walk him down. He’s going to light him up with jabs, mix in kicks, pivot off the center, and make De Ridder pay every time he tries to close the distance with little regard for defense.