UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs De Ridder: Predictions, odds, how to watch
Whittaker, known as The Reaper, is stepping into the ring with De Ridder with a record of 27 wins and eight losses. His last fight was a first-round submission loss against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308 in October 2024, a performance that has surely fueled his determination for the upcoming bout.
De Ridder, with an impressive record of 20 wins and two losses, is currently on a four-fight win streak. His victories over Kevin Holland and Bo Nickal at UFC 311 and UFC Fight Night in May 2025, respectively, showcase his current form and set the stage for an exciting clash with Whittaker.
Here is everything to know ahead of UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. De Ridder.
More: Ben Askren health update: Former UFC fighter finally out of hospital
UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. De Ridder predictions
Din Thomas writes: "De Ridder has plenty of experience he can tap into. This won't be too big of a moment for him -- fighting a five-round main event against one of the best middleweights in UFC history. De Ridder's forward and annoying pressure, as well as his length, will wear on Whittaker and force him to make mistakes. Once Whittaker does that, de Ridder is an unforgiving fighter who doesn't allow you to recover."
Staff writes: "I predict that de Ridder will submit Whittaker in under three rounds, as his grappling and jiu-jitsu skills are far superior. Additionally, I think de Ridder can withstand the striking attacks from Whittaker and do enough not to get into any serious trouble on the feet. De Ridder has shown flashes of improved striking during his last fight against Nickal, as he even scored a stoppage win over him via a vicious knee strike to the body that instantly folded the former three-time NCAA national wrestling champion."
Trent Reinsmith writes: "There are a couple of burning questions about this fight to ponder before making a pick. Has a career of facing the best of the best at middleweight caught up with Robert Whittaker leading to a decline in his skills? Is Reinier de Ridder ready to face someone as well-rounded as Robert Whittaker? We won't know the answers to those questions until after Saturday's fight. What we do know is that Whittaker is one of the best middleweight fighters in the history of the UFC and that he is the more well-rounded fighter in this matchup."
UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. De Ridder date
UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. De Ridder will take place in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, July 26.
How to watch UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. De Ridder
UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. De Ridder coverage starts at noon ET on ESPN, ESPN+ and Disney+, with the main card beginning at 3 p.m. ET on ABC, ESPN+ and Disney+.
UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. De Ridder fight card and odds
Fight card, according to ESPN and odds as of July 24:
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Monster Energy's Tatsuro Taira Defeats Hyun Sung Park at UFC Fight Night in Vegas
25-Year-Old from Okinawa, Japan, Earns Second-Round Submission Victory in Flyweight Division Bout LAS VEGAS, Aug. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Back in the winner's circle! Monster Energy congratulates MMA athlete Tatsuro Taira on defeating Hyun Sung Park in the main event fight at the UFC Vegas 108 on Saturday night. In the flyweight division bout on the Main Card, the 25-year-old from Okinawa, Japan, stopped his opponent with a brutal submission in Round 2. UFC Vegas 108: Taira vs. Park was contested in front of a live crowd inside the UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas. Featuring six fights on the Main Card, the event was broadcast live on ESPN television and Prelims streamed on the ESPN+ service. Monster Energy's Taira (17-1) was looking to return to the victory column after suffering his first career loss against Brandon Royval at UFC Vegas 98 in October 2024. Before the split-decision loss, the young Japanese fighter was heralded as a title contender in the UFC's Flyweight division. Now he needed a win to reclaim his spot. Taira was initially slated to fight Iraqi athlete Amir Albazi in the headline event, but his opponent withdrew due to a medical issue. On short notice, 29-year-old Park (10-1) from South Korea stepped in to face Taira, putting his undefeated record of ten wins on the line and adding significant hype to the fight. Both fighters started the fight on a tentative note, keeping their distance while looking for openings. That changed when Taira landed two consecutive right hands to the head that instantly dropped Park on his back. From there, Taira controlled Park on the ground for the rest of the round while working for the right position to secure a show-stopping chokehold until the buzzer. Taira charged into the second round by body slamming Park to the canvas after landing a stunning jab to the forehead. Assuming ground control, the Japanese grappling expert locked in a body triangle behind Park's back to set the stage for a quick finish by sheer force: Moments later, Park tapped out to a brutal face crank submission just 66 seconds into Round 2, sealing a dominant win for Taira. "I'm happy, thank you!" said Monster Energy's Taira in his Octagon interview at the UFC Apex on Saturday night. What's next for the rising star from Japan? "From the last Brandon Royval fight, it's been ten months, and I'm back strong," said Taira in Las Vegas before demanding a title fight against current UFC Flyweight Champion Alexandre Pantoja. "I'll wait to see who wins between Pantoja and Joshua Van and hopefully I get the next shot," said Taira. Stay tuned for more! Monster Energy's elite UFC athletes include Jon Jones, Alex Pereira, Belal Muhammad, Dricus Du Plessis, Merab Dvalishvili, Valentina Shevchenko, Zhang Weili, Marlon Vera, Michael Chandler, Justin Gaethje, Brandon Moreno, Giga Chikadze, Johnny Walker, Sean Strickland, Dan Ige, Diego Lopes, Daniel Zellhuber, Derrick Lewis, Alexa Grasso, Raul Rosas Jr., Tatsuro Taira, Shara Magomedov, Patricio Pitbull, Maycee Barber, Aaron Pico, Patchy Mix, Jasmine Jasudavicius, and Kayla Harrison. For more on Monster Energy's MMA athletes, visit Follow Monster Energy on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok. For interview or photo requests, contact Kim Dresser. About Monster EnergyBased in Corona, California, Monster Energy is the leading marketer of energy drinks and alternative beverages. Refusing to acknowledge the traditional, Monster Energy supports the scene and sport. Whether motocross, off-road, NASCAR, MMA, BMX, surf, snowboard, ski, skateboard, or the rock and roll lifestyle, Monster Energy is a brand that believes in authenticity and the core of what its sports, athletes and musicians represent. More than a drink, it's the way of life lived by athletes, bands, believers, and fans. See more about Monster Energy including all of its drinks at CONTACT: Kim Dresser C: (949) 300-5546 E: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Monster Energy Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Lake Mary run rules South Carolina 14-0, advances to region title game
Lake Mary run ruled Irmo, South Carolina 14-0 Sunday afternoon to advance to the Southeast Region title game on Tuesday afternoon. The Florida state champions are now just one win away from a return trip to the Little League World Series. Lake Mary will play at 3:00 on Tuesday on ESPN in the Southeast Region Tournament title game. Their opponent will be determined on Monday. Lake Mary blew the game open with an 8-run fourth inning. They sent thirteen batters to the plate, and scored eight runs on seven hits. Jacob Brown blasted a three-run homer in that fourth inning to open the scoring. Lake Mary finished with 14 runs on 12 hits in Sunday's regional semifinals to get one step closer to Williamsport. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
James Cook sits out Bills practice for first time amid contract stalemate, cites 'business'
The James Cook hold-in has commenced. After participating at practice since the start of Bills training camp, Buffalo's Pro Bowl running back showed up to Sunday's session in street clothes. When asked by reporters why he didn't participate, Cook offered a one-word answer: "Business," Cook said. When asked about practicing on Monday, Cook offered the same answer: "Business." Per ESPN's Alaina Getzenberg, Cook kept repeating the word "business" to reporters from there. The Bills declined to comment on the situation, according to Getzenberg. So it's safe to say that Cook's lack of participation was business-related. Cook shows up to practice in sweats Cook's been seeking a new deal the entire offseason. Despite the lack of progress on an extension, he participated at mandatory minicamp and during the opening days of training camp practice. But it was clear from the start of Sunday's session that he wasn't participating when he showed up wearing white sweats, no pads and a beanie. Instead of running drills, Cook got his work done Sunday on a sideline exercise bike. Cook, 25, is approaching the final season of his four-year, $5.8 million rookie contract that he signed after the Bills selected him in the second round of the 2022 draft. He's made the Pro Bowl twice while posting 1,200-plus yards from scrimmage in each of the last two seasons. He led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns in 2024. He's done so for a Bills team that enters 2025 seeking its sixth straight AFC East championship and hoping to contend for the Super Bowl. Where things stand between Cook, Bills Cook's previously indicated on social media that he's seeking a contract valued at $15 million per season. That would make him the league's third-highest paid running back in terms of annual value behind Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey. Per Over The Cap, his current average annual contract value of $1.46 million makes him the league's 51st-highest paid running back. Cook addressed his contract status on July 24, shortly after the start of training camp. 'I mean, we have talks. I'm never going to give up,' Cook said of negotiations with the Bills, per The Athletic. 'I mean, I deserve it — what I want, what I need. It's going to eventually happen.' When asked how confident he was in a deal getting done, Cook said this: 'I mean, however it happens, it's going to get done," Cook said. "Wherever it happens." That same day, Bills general manager Brandon Beane addressed Cook's contract situation. 'As I've said all along, I love James Cook," Beane told reporters. "I want nothing more — you know how I am, I want to draft, develop, re-sign our own. "It is a business. We have to fit it in, not only cash, but cap. And sometimes it's not — you can look at it and say, well, you go this website or whatever, they could fit him in if they did this and this. But we also have to look at '26, '27, and beyond because you can walk yourself into one of those years where you're like, oh man, there's not a lot of guys we can take down on those years. "We would have to trade or cut someone that we wouldn't want to lose. So, it's not only 2025 when we're doing a deal with him or any other player. So, all those things have to make sense for us to fit it in." Without a contract extension, Cook would enter next offseason as a free agent, though the Bills in that instance could opt to apply the franchise tag. But that's not the immediate concern in Buffalo. For now, the Bills are trying to win a Super Bowl. And the status of their Pro Bowl running back is up in the air as Buffalo approaches its third week of training camp.
