UFC Abu Dhabi, The Morning After: Closing The Door On The Great Bobby Knuckles

It’s been eight years since Robert Whittaker defeated Yoel Romero the first time.

Do you remember that night at UFC 213? Technically, the interim title was on the line, though the belt was soon promoted to undisputed after Georges St. Pierres’ retirement. The bout is somewhat overshadowed by the Whittaker vs. Romero rematch, a five-round showcase of heart and grit and knockdowns that could have went either way and was very possibly the best fight of 2018.

The first fight was equally dramatic in its own way. A 27-year-old former Welterweight stepped up to the fearsome Cuban Olympic wrestler who kept knocking out everyone. He met the challenge boldly and engaged right away, but a low kick tore his MCL in the very first round. For ten minutes, Whittaker was forced to weather the storm of Romero’s relentless wrestling and ferocious ground strikes, dodging strikes and takedowns while on a wobbly leg.

The young talent survived and then turned the tables, pushing the pace on his older opponent to steal the latter three rounds and become Australia’s first UFC champion. It was an incredibly gritty performance, the kind of 25-minute suffering that can only be called upon a few times in a fighter’s career.

That was eight years ago.

About six years ago — October 6, 2019, to be specific — Israel Adesanya knocked out Whittaker in perhaps the finest performance of his entire career. He countered the Australian’s in-and-out striking masterfully and finished him with violent grace in round two.

In all the time since, Whittaker has been an elite contender, working his ass off to regain UFC gold. He’s picked up some top-notch wins in that span, turning away multiple future and former title challenger. Realistically, it’s been a full decade of elite Middleweight competition for Whittaker, seeing as he faced ranked opposition in Brad Tavares and Uriah Hall all the way back in 2015.

After UFC Abu Dhabi, it’s clear Whittaker’s time near the top has come to an end.

Including his competitive loss to Reinier de Ridder, “Bobby Knuckles” has now lost three times in the last two years. The Dricus Du Plessis upset seemed impossible at the time, but “Stillknocks” has proven himself a masterful fighter in his own bizarre way. Getting steamrolled by Khamzat last year hurt dearly, but it’s not an embarrassing loss by any means. That’s just what “Borz” does, and the Chechen is an otherworldly talent regardless of what happens next month at UFC 319.

De Ridder though? He’s a good Middleweight. He’s improved since joining the UFC roster, honing in on what makes him dangerous and effective on the feet. He should not, however, be a good enough fighter to take Whittaker to the absolute brink, the same deep waters that Whittaker tread versus Romero back in 2017.

There were several exchanges last night in which Whittaker looked downright shot. A glaring alarm is how badly the Aussie fatigued given his history of excelling in five-round fights. A few knees to the belly in round two would affect anyone’s cardio, but they don’t explain why he was gasping for air for the entire final three rounds.

Whittaker simply could not catch a second wind.

There were other moments when Whittaker’s reaction time was noticeably declined. Fatigue is obviously a factor here as well, but the Whittaker of a couple years ago doesn’t let the ultra slow “RDR” tap his nose with so many jabs regardless of exhaustion. Without reaction time, Whittaker’s explosive in-and-out style of striking becomes a much riskier game — it’s a very good thing he was fighting a jiu-jitsu guy.

Last night’s performance made it clear that Whittaker’s decade as an elite contender is through, and it’s time to start planning an exit from combat sports. There are still plenty of Middleweights Whittaker can beat — he remains quick, crafty, and determined — but the number is shrinking each month.

If Whittaker sticks around much longer and keeps fighting Top 10 opposition, the losses will accumulate quickly and grow bloodier.

For complete UFC Abu Dhabi results and play-by-play, click here.