ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – OCTOBER 26: Robert Whittaker of New Zealand prepares to face … More
The UFC will return to Abu Dhabi on July 26 for an UFC Fight Night event. The developing fight card, which will feature a UFC on ABC main card, has a middleweight main event between former UFC 185-pound champion Robert Whittaker and the fast-rising Reinier de Ridder.
Robert Whittaker Vs. Reinier de Ridder Opening Odds
When BetOnline first published the betting line for the UFC Abu Dhabi 2025 main event, Whittaker was listed as the -190 betting favorite over the +165 De Ridder. Those odds have shifted slightly. Today, Whittaker is listed at -185, while De Ridder is a +160 betting underdog.
UFC Abu Dhabi 2025: Robert Whittaker
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – JUNE 22: Robert Whittaker of New Zealand reacts after his victory against … More
Whittaker (26-8) is the No. 5 fighter in the official UFC middleweight rankings. Whittaker has long been one of the best fighters in the UFC’s 185-pound division. His only losses under the UFC banner as a middleweight have come against Israel Adesanya, Dricus Du Plessis, and Khamzat Chimaev.
The 34-year-old was on a two-fight winning streak since his loss to Du Plessis in a middleweight title eliminator in July 2023 when he stepped into the Octagon to face Chimaev at UFC 308 in October 2024.
Chimaev ran through Whittaker in that matchup, handing the ex-champ his first submission defeat as a member of the UFC roster.
UFC Abu Dhabi marks the first fight for Whittaker in 2025. He fought three times in 2024.
UFC Abu Dhabi 2025: Reinier de Ridder
DES MOINES, IOWA – MAY 03: Reinier de Ridder of The Netherlands reacts after his TKO victory over Bo … More
Reinier de Ridder (20-2) joined the UFC in 2024. De Ridder was a two-division champion with ONE, claiming titles in the middleweight and light heavyweight weight classes.
A talented grappler with 11 career submission victories before inking his UFC deal, De Ridder is 3-0 with the UFC, picking up submission wins over Gerald Meerschaert and Kevin Holland, while most recently putting and end to Bo Nickal’s unbeaten run with a knockout win on the UFC Des Moines fight card in early May.
De Ridder is the No. 13 fighter in the official UFC rankings. He gets the opportunity surge in those rankings when he faces Whittaker in July. De Ridder has fought twice in 2025. His win over Holland took place on the UFC 311 pay-per-view card.
UFC Abu Dhabi 2025 Announced Fights
Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder – Middleweight
Sharabutdin Magomedov vs. Marc-André Barriault – Middleweight
Nikita Krylov vs. Bogdan Guskov – Light Heavyweight
Ramazan Temirov vs. Asu Almabayev – Flyweight
Ibo Aslan vs. Billy Elekana – Light Heavyweight
UFC Abu Dhabi 2025 Fight Card Date
Saturday, July 26, 2025
UFC Abu Dhabi 2025 Fight Card Time
TBA
UFC Abu Dhabi 2025 Fight Card Location
Etihad Arena, Yas Island, United Arab Emirates
UFC Abu Dhabi 2025 Fight Card How To Watch
Man Card: ABC
Preliminary Card: ESPN2
We will have more on the UFC Abu Dhabi 2025 fight card as news becomes available.
