Robert Whittaker is out to prove he remains a leading contender in the middleweight division as he takes on Reinier de Ridder in the headline contest of UFC Abu Dhabi Fight Night at Etihad Arena on Saturday.
The Australian, 34, suffered a first-round loss in just three minutes and 34 seconds when he was forced to tap out by Khamzat Chimaev in October last year.
Whittaker appears to have put that defeat behind him as the former UFC middleweight champion returns to the octagon more determined than ever to earn another title shot in the world’s lead MMA promotion.
Whittaker arrives with a 26-8 career record. Interestingly, he has never lost twice in a row since his welterweight days in 2013/14.
De Ridder, 34, has a 20-2 record and has been on a roll since moving out of One Championship, in which he held two titles.
The Dutchman stopped Russian Magomedmurad Khasaev by TKO in the first round at UAE Warriors 51 and has then gone undefeated in three UFC appearances. He’s now back in the octagon for the main contest and for his fifth fight in one year.
“He’s a well accomplished fighter,” Whittaker said of De Ridder in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
“He's been around the track many times, fought for titles, had titles, he's got a lot of divisions. It's going to be a hard fight. He's a veteran by himself. And I look forward to the test that comes up.”
The Australian believes he has the striking power to tackle De Ridder, a black belt in both judo and jiu-jitsu.
“That's the plan. I'm fast. I'm striking. I'm just going to find holes and openings to close the night. He's a good striker as well. He understands what my strengths are,” he said.
“Well, I think I'm pretty confident. Obviously, I think of my strengths … Well, one of my strengths is the fact that I'm self-orientated. I prefer striking, but if it goes to the ground, I'm more prepared than just the foot.
“If it goes to the ground, it's one of my choices. I'm a striker, I like to strike. My path of victory is to stay in my mix, get my hands on it. You might have it better than before.”
Whittaker is returning to Abu Dhabi for his fourth fight, and said he always enjoyed competing in the UAE capital.
“I enjoy fighting here every time I come to put on a show. I've been fortunate enough to fight here, like, four times now. It’s always been a good experience,” he added.
His challenger De Ridder is competing in a main UFC event for the first time, just 12 months after he appeared at the UAE Warriors.
De Ridder feels his experience in judo and jiu-jitsu, combined with his training with Dagestani wrestlers will come in handy against Whittaker.
“I have prepared well, sparred against Dagestani wrestlers and worked with a Dagestani coach to bring in more variety to my ground fighting,” he said.
“I like the Russian style of wrestling, especially Dagestani and Chechen styles which has more judo influences, and I can use them to trip and throw opponents.
“I try to be in the moment as much as possible. It was crazy I was fighting in the UAE Warriors a year ago and I feel it’s going through the full circuit returning for the UFC Fight Night. Obviously looking forward for it and hopefully a win.”
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German intelligence warnings
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Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
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What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
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Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
The five pillars of Islam
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What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
