Whittaker is one of the best mixes of Karate and boxing in UFC history. Combining excellent in-and-out movement with sharp counter punches and pocket boxing, Whittaker has added offensive wrestling into his game in recent years to really keep his foes on their toes. The dangers here are de Ridder’s size and relentlessness. He’s not a good enough wrestler on paper to floor Whittaker and implement his grappling, but he definitely could rock the Australian and gain top position that way. If Whittaker isn’t locked-in defensively, he could find himself in trouble quickly. That doesn’t mean the answer is passivity or hesitance, however. On the contrary, to keep “RDR” off him, Whittaker has to keep his feet moving and being an evasive target while also still willing to plant his feet. Whittaker is the more fluid, powerful striker after all. He has the skills to be mobile while still presenting a serious threat to de Ridder, and that balance will be really important.

de Ridder is an expert grappler first and foremost. His high-profile victory over Nickal was a rare display of his clinch offense and general stand up, but he’s notable awkward and hittable on the feet. One way or another, he’s finished 18 opponents via stoppage. Steamrolling Whittaker is not likely to be easy as beating up Nickal in the clinch. Whittaker is a bit craftier and should present more of a challenge in being tracked down. It’s a little odd to talk about the taller, longer fighter have to close distance on the shorter man, but that’s de Ridder’s realistic path to success. To find Whittaker, de Ridder has to use his kicks to cut off the cage. If he can force Whittaker to stand in place to block a kick, that’s an opportunity to fire a one-two combination down the center. When Whittaker goes to return fire, de Ridder should be looking to get inside those punches with frames and use them to clinch — classic Muay Thai strategy. Nobody is particularly fresh if their nose is bloodied, leg kicked, and liver softened by knees. “RDR” should be looking to wear down Whittaker, slow that speed a bit, and then drag his foe to the floor in pursuit of the submission.

Even as de Ridder has come into his own inside the Octagon, he still has obvious flaws that a veteran like Whittaker should be able to exploit. The “RDR” bum-rush that worked so well in breaking down Nickal is less likely to be effective when he’s getting smashed by counter punches early and often. In fact, I expect de Ridder to be the man who gets progressively worse over time as Whittaker’s punches find their mark more and more often on that high chin. McGhee’s power and finishing ability have made him a fan favorite, with eight of his ten career victories coming via knockout. The key to this fight lies in McGhee’s ability to close distance and land his power shots against Yan’s superior technical striking and experience. Yan’s precision and boxing fundamentals should give him advantages in longer exchanges, while McGhee’s explosive finishing ability makes him dangerous in any engagement.