Should Robert Whittaker Still Be Considered a Middleweight Contender?

Thirty-four-year-old Australian (by residence) Robert Whittaker is a former UFC middleweight champion, owning the distinction of being the first Aussie to win a UFC belt. 

Whittaker (see resume below) goes back to work in late July, headlining a Fight Night card in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The Reaper is opposing Reinier de Ridder in a bout that both fighters need to maintain some semblance of relevance.

Whittaker is currently ranked fifth in the division, de Ridder at No. 12. Whittaker hasn’t plied his craft since UFC 308 (also in the UAE) this past October, the victim of a first-round, face-crank submission against Khamzat Chimaev. The beating included rearranging his jaw and ridding him of some teeth.

With just a break-even (3-3) record in his last half-dozen bouts, the question posed in this headline about whether Whittaker remains a legit middleweight contender is a fair one indeed.

In the Dutchman de Ridder, who turns 35 in September, Whittaker draws an opponent who has won his last three bouts decisively.

As of this late-June writing, Whittaker-de Ridder UFC fight odds are not available. 

Whittaker isn’t looking just to win, as he may need some style points as well. UFC boss Dana White sees a crowded field of middleweights, so Whittaker’s performance in the desert could go a long way in determining his trajectory (or lack thereof) in the division.  

Here’s a primer on Robert Whittaker, one of the more intriguing figures on the UFC schedule…    

Who Has Robert Whittaker Lost To?

The Robert Whittaker record reads 27 wins (10 by knockout) against eight losses (three by knockout). Six of the defeats (to Khamzat Chimaev, Dricus Du Plessis, Israel Adesanya [twice], Stephen Thompson, and Court McGee) have come in UFC fights, with two in non-UFC bouts. 

How Much Does Robert Whittaker Make for a Fight?

According to the always-reliable internet, Robert Whittaker earns in the range of  $350,000- $400,000 per fight, which doesn’t factor in sponsorships and/or bonuses.     

While his career has stagnated recently,  Whittaker has maintained a legion of supporters when it comes to UFC fight odds. 

Does BetUS Offer Constant Updates on UFC Fights Betting Lines?

While UFC news is the place to see who’s fighting whom, BetUS is the go-to site to find the latest UFC fights betting odds ahead of every numbered event, as well as any Fight Night program. 

Looking at the board as of this late-June writing, there’s UFC 317 exactly a week away in Las Vegas. Ilia Topuria is a solid (-455) choice over Charles Oliveira (+342) to win the vacant lightweight title. There are also some ‘future’ odds leading to UFC 318 (July in New Orleans) and UFC 319 (August in Chicago). 

Remember any and all odds are fluid, thus subject to change.

Any Final Thoughts?

Read into the fact that Robert Whittaker has been ‘relegated’ to a late-July Fight Night card any way you wish. The bottom line is that if Whittaker wishes to continue to be taken seriously in the middleweight division, he needs a win over an in-form foe (Reinier de Ridder) in the worst way.  

Those who pay attention to all the news and UFC rumors know the saga of Robert Whittaker. His last appearance was not his finest hour at all. There’s no wiggle room with this next bout.

Those who wager on UFC would be wise to bookmark BetUS to find the latest odds.