Robert Whittaker still has his eyes on middleweight title glory when he faces Reinier de Ridder on Saturday night.
The ‘Reaper’ is looking to bounce back after a round one submission loss to the next UFC middleweight title contender Khamzat Chimaev.
Chimaev has already received advice from TJ Dillashaw to boost cardio to beat Dricus Du Plessis on August 17th.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Whittaker has tough opposition before a potential shot as the in-form de Ridder poses a different threat after his beatdown of Bo Nickal.
Robert Whittaker predicts ‘tricky’ fight in favour of Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319
During the press conference for the fight, he was asked to break down how he foresees his former foes’ chances in the title bout.
He said: “It’s tricky, I think the favourite will have to be Dricus.
“The only thing that I can say with certainty is that Chimaev will get Dricus to the mat, but if Chimaev doesn’t finish Dricus there, I find it hard for him to win.
“I think the longer the fight goes, Dricus is more favourable, Chimaev has outstanding first-round finishes, but every fight that has gone the distance has been close.”
The 34-year-old was referencing the Russian’s two fights with Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns.
His bout against Usman was won on a razor-thin majority decision as the Nigerian avoided the usual first-round demolition jobs to give him his most competitive fight to date.
Reinier de Ridder gives a cold prediction for Robert Whittaker finish
‘Dutch King’ Ridder was not known for his punching finishes until the Nickal win in the second round.
But the Netherlands fighter is confident he can get the submission finish on the New Zealander this time.
Speaking to Submission Radio, he said: “I see myself putting a lot of pressure on him, hitting him with some good shots early.
“Maybe another knee, maybe some other cool strikes, taking him down and choking him out.”
Not only will confidence favour the middleweight contender but his activity could prove a factor in the fight.
Since his opponent’s last fight, he has fought three times and as recently as May, finishing each one inside the distance.