The UFC Abu Dhabi Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder round-by-round updates have arrived. They provide real-time coverage and live scoring for the upcoming middleweight clash set to main event the UFC's return to the fight capital of the Middle East.Scheduled for five, five-minute, rounds, the bout is a proving ground for the two headliners. Whittaker, a former UFC middleweight champion, is determined to work his way back into title contention, but must first rebound from his crushing submission loss to Khamzat Chimaev.He enters the octagon at 26-8, with just 10 knockouts/TKOs to his name, and five submissions. His opponent, de Ridder, is an ex-ONE double champion aiming to capture UFC gold. A perfect 3-0 in the UFC, and 20-2 overall, with five knockouts/TKOs and 13 submissions, the Dutchman is a world-class foe.He recently derailed Bo Nickal's hype train in viral fashion, but isn't expected to beat Whittaker, who is a -155 favorite on DraftKings. De Ridder, by contrast, is a +130 underdog. The event starts at 12:00 PM E.T. (Eastern Time) / 9:00 AM P.T. (Pacific Time) / 8:00 PM G.S.T. (Gulf Standard Time).However, the Whittaker vs. de Ridder fight is expected to take place at around 5:45 PM E.T. / 2:45 PM P.T. / 1:45 AM G.S.T.Follow Sportskeeda for play-by-play analysis and live scoring of the upcoming middleweight fight.UFC Abu Dhabi: Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de RidderRound 1: Pressure from Whittaker, who aggressively pursues the blitz but de Ridder counters with a takedown attempt. Whittaker scrambles well but can't break away from de Ridder's grasp. They're fighting for position in the clinch but separate. Whittaker lands with a good one-two.De Ridder shoots for another takedown but Whittaker defends well. Whittaker on the front foot, landing an overhand left. Combinations from Whittaker, who is keeping de Ridder against the fence. De Ridder is trying but Whittaker is just so quick. Another takedown attempt gets stuffed by Whittaker.Now de Ridder is pressuring. He gets Whittaker in the clinch but can't maintain it. Stiff jab from Whittaker. De Ridder fires back with a head kick that's partially blocked. A nice lead left hook from Whittaker counters a de Ridder step-in knee. De Ridder, undeterred, lands a good knee to the body.One-two for Whittaker.Our Score: 10-9 WhittakerRound 2: Whittaker applies immediate pressure. They trade and Whittaker snipes de Ridder with a jab. Another failed takedown attempt from de Ridder. De Ridder crashes into Whittaker with a knee to the body but eats a hard counter. Whittaker has him close to the fence, crowding him.De Ridder with an overhand left. Whittaker fires back with a one-two. Front kick to the body from de Ridder. Another step-in knee to the body lands for de Ridder, who is now on the front foot. Big knee to the body lands for de Ridder, while Whittaker lands a one-two.Jabs from de Ridder, who follows up with a big knee to the body that folded Whittaker over. De Ridder pounces with a bodylock and easily trips Whittaker to the mat. De Ridder on top, trying to pass the guard and gets to half-guard. Some ground-and-pound from de Ridder, who is suffocating Whittaker.De Ridder almost gets to side control but Whittaker defends well, forcing him back into full guard. De Ridder with more ground-and-pound. Very good round from de Ridder.Our Score: 10-9 de Ridder, 19-19 overallRound 3: Both men are tired. They're not gassed, but they're tired. Whittaker wastes no time in establishing pressure but de Ridder doesn't let him. De Ridder with a knee to the body and a one-two that appears to stun Whittaker. WHITTAKER FLOORS DE RIDDER WITH A RIGHT.Whittaker with ground-and-pound but de Ridder survives and gets back to his feet. De Ridder clinches and shoves Whittaker to the fence. He holds him there but Whittaker breaks away. Another knee to the body from de Ridder, who follows up with a takedown attempt but Whittaker stuffs it.Sniping jab from Whittaker, and a counter-right hand for good measure as de Ridder steps in. Good one-two from Whittaker. He goes for another but de Ridder times it with a slick takedown. De Ridder on top and gets to half-guard. Both men taking a breather it seems, but de Ridder passes to side control.Whittaker moves his hips back into half-guard but de Ridder regains side control. De Ridder with a D'Arce choke, but Whittaker slips out of it immediately. This has been a good fight. De Ridder with an elbow.Our Score: 10-9 Whittaker, 29-28 Whittaker overallRound 4: De Ridder steps in with a knee to the body, immediately securing double underhooks, pinning Whittaker to the fence. He goes for a trip but Whittaker defends. De Ridder keeps him on the fence though. Whittaker sneaks out and Whittaker lands a jab, while de Ridder blasts his body with another knee.They're back on the fence, with de Ridder controlling him. Another knee to the body for de Ridder. Whittaker escapes from the fence, but de Ridder shoots immediately and shoves him against the fence again. Shoulder strikes from de Ridder.De Ridder attempts a throw and Whittaker ends up on top but both men get back to their feet. Jabs from de Ridder. These two are absolutely gassed. Stiff jab from Whittaker, while de Ridder cracks him with a left and clinches him against the fence. Whittaker doesn't accept the position and escapes.Jab from de Ridder, while Whittaker responds in kind. Whittaker with a one-two. De Ridder with another harrd knee to the body. Big overhand right from de Ridder buckles Whittaker's knees. This has been a very physical fight.Our Score: 10-9 de Ridder, 38-38 overallRound 5: Whittaker springs forward with a jab. Another jab from Whittaker, while de Ridder lands a one-two. De Ridder with a takedown attempt but Whittaker defends. De Ridder gets him in the clinch and holds him there, landing uppercuts to the body. More uppercuts to the body from de Ridder.Whittaker breaks away but de Ridder steps in with another knee, entering the clinch again to pin Whittaker to the fence. However, Whittaker escapes. De Ridder almost gets a trip but Whittaker reacts very quickly. That, though, likely sapped him of a lot of energy. De Ridder with another knee to the body.They get into the clinch and de Ridder holds Whittaker against the fence. Whittaker escapes eventually. Hard body shot from Whittaker, followed by another. Both men go for the body, but de Ridder follows up with a left upstairs. Yet another step-in knee to the body from de Ridder, who pins Whittaker to the fence.Whittaker escapes and punishes de Ridder for a sloppy takedown attempt with a counter right. Knee to the body for de Ridder. Whittaker steps in but de Ridder clinches him against the fence to end the round.Our Score: 10-9 de Ridder, 48-47 de Ridder overallOfficial DecisionReinier de Ridder def. Robert Whittaker via split-decision (48-47, 48-47, 47-48)