Morning Report | Robert Whittaker explains how Reinier de Ridder fight came together so quickly

Robert Whittaker is able to step again into the cage, and all of it occurred in a short time.

Over the weekend, the UFC introduced that Whittaker can be making his return to the octagon this summer season when he takes on former ONE two-division champion Reinier de Ridder in the primary occasion of UFC Abu Dhabi. It’s Whittaker’s first combat again since suffering a gruesome mouth injury towards Khamzat Chimaev and it’s a little bit of a shocking one, given the a number of opponents Whittaker was linked to beforehand. However Whittaker defined that the combat type of fell collectively as a product of excellent timing.

“I instructed my supervisor, ‘Communicate to them. I’m searching for late June, early July. Worldwide Battle Week appears to be like good, let’s get one thing,’” Whittaker defined on his YouTube channel. “And I used to be additionally form of mentioning [Sean] Strickland on the time. We’re each up there, it is smart, we’ve by no means fought, let’s get it executed.

“They got here again to me and mentioned, ‘Strickland is simply getting again into coaching. We are able to attempt to get that combat to occur however we don’t know when it’s going to occur, however [Roman] Dolidze … is prepared and prepared.’ I used to be like, executed. Signal me up. Let’s go. …

“Then, actually 4 days in the past, they’re like, ‘RDR? De Ridder, foremost occasion, Abu Dhabi, July 28.’ I used to be like, what occurred to the opposite one? [Laughs]. I don’t know what occurred to something.”

After all, that didn’t cease Whittaker from accepting. Earlier this month, de Ridder grew to become the primary man to defeat Bo Nickal, stopping him within the co-main occasion of UFC Des Moines. Although that win didn’t elevate “RDR” within the rankings, it did increase de Ridder’s profile considerably, and made this a straightforward “sure” for Whittaker.

“All I do know is the date match,” Whittaker mentioned. “He’s not within the High 10 but however he simply beat Bo Nickal. He’s laborious combat, he had two titles in ONE, he’s a tough combat. I’m positive he’ll be within the High 10 earlier than lengthy. He’s a High 10 fighter, competitor not less than. That’s a tough combat, let’s do it. July is an effective time, so I simply mentioned sure, immediately. …

“All the pieces form of labored out. We’re 11 weeks from Abu Dhabi, foremost occasion, 5 rounds. It’s all the time enjoyable. I like my face on a poster, the children find it irresistible. I look ahead to getting work executed.”

For Whittaker, de Ridder presents a chance to rebound from his brutal loss to Chimaev and re-insert himself as a going concern at 185 kilos. And at 34 years previous, “The Reaper” is aware of he doesn’t have a lot time left to perform the issues he desires to do in MMA.

“I’m wanting ahead to it,” Whittaker mentioned. “I wish to get again in there and I wish to get again in that profitable column. I’ve received some issues — I don’t wish to combat without end. I’ve received a pair years left in my profession and I need that fairytale ending. Particularly after seeing Volk, and now JDM stand up, I need that fairytale ending. That’s the place — I wish to work my manner as much as the title, win the belt, and sail off into the sundown. That’s the dream I’m pushing and preventing for proper now.”

UFC Abu Dhabi takes place on July 26 at Etihad Enviornment.

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Promo.

Julianna Peña.

Daniel Cormier on Islam Makhachev.

Michael Bisping on UFC 315.

Aljamain Sterling speaking about UFC 315.

Jean Silva chokes out a fan.

Keep protected on the market.

Valentina Shevchenko flexing.

Winner.

If Ankalaev in some way did really hack Alex Pereira, that will be kinda gasoline.

Grant Dawson will get it.

Matchmaker.

I couldn’t be extra pumped for the Whittaker-RDR combat. RDR has the possibility to tug a DDP and lock in a title shot, whereas Whittaker has an opportunity to rebound and get again within the combine. Good matchmaking.

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