The highly anticipated UFC event, “Whittaker vs. De Ridder,” is set to take place on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the Etihad Arena on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, UAE. This fight night promises an exciting slate of bouts, headlined by a middleweight clash between former champion Robert Whittaker and undefeated contender Reinier de Ridder.
Fans can look forward to an action-packed main card, which will be broadcast on ABC and ESPN+, starting at 3 p.m. ET. The preliminary fights will kick off earlier at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and ESPN+.
In addition to the main event, the card features several compelling matchups, including a rumored bout between top featherweights Movsar Evloev and Aaron Pico, along with light heavyweight fights featuring Nikita Krylov against Bogdan Guskov and Shara Magomedov taking on Marc-André Barriault in the middleweight division. Bantamweight contenders Petr Yan and Marcus McGhee will also clash, with Amanda Ribas facing Tabatha Ricci in a women’s strawweight matchup. Rounding out the preliminary card is the showdown between Asu Almabayev and Ramazan Temirov, and a light heavyweight bout between Ibo Aslan and Billy Elekana.
As always, fans should note that the fight card is subject to change, adding an element of unpredictability to the event. This UFC Abu Dhabi event is not only an opportunity for fighters to showcase their skills but also for fans to experience thrilling live sports in one of the world’s premier locations.
With the excitement building and the variety of matchups, UFC Abu Dhabi promises to deliver an unforgettable evening of fight action.