UFC on ABC 9: Reinier de Ridder previews Robert Whittaker fight, title stakes
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Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
LIVE! UFC Abu Dhabi Early Weigh Ins Results!
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is just over 24 hours away from the upcoming UFC Abu Dhabi mixed martial arts (MMA) event, which is set to go down this Sat. (July 26, 2025) on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN+ from inside Etihad Arena on 'Fight Island' in Abu Dhabi, UAE. UFC Abu Dhabi will be headlined by a middleweight clash between former champion Robert Whittaker and rising contender Reinier de Ridder, a five-round headliner with serious title implications for late 2025 and beyond. Before the ABC, ESPN, and ESPN+ live streams get underway this weekend in Abu Dhabi, which also include the bantamweight showdown between former 135-pound champion Petr Yan and red-hot division 'Maniac' Marcus McGhee, all 24 fighters must hit the scale to prove themselves worthy. Complete UFC Abu Dhabi weigh ins text results beginning at 1 a.m. ET below: UFC Abu Dhabi Main Card On ABC/ESPN+: 185 lbs.: Robert Whittaker (185.5) vs. Reinier de Ridder (186)135 lbs.: Petr Yan (135.5) vs. Marcus McGhee (136)185 lbs.: Shara Magomedov (186) vs. Marc-Andre Barriault (185)125 lbs.: Asu Almabayev (126) vs. Jose Ochoa (125.5)205 lbs.: Nikita Krylov (205) vs. Bogdan Guskov (205) UFC Abu Dhabi 'Prelims' Card On ESPN/ESPN+: 135 lbs.: Bryce Mitchell (136) vs. Said Nurmagomedov (136)170 lbs.: Muslim Salikhov (170.5) vs. Carlos Leal (170)135 lbs.: Davey Grant (136) vs. Da'Mon Blackshear (136)115 lbs.: Amanda Ribas (116) vs. Tabatha Ricci (115)205 lbs.: Ibo Aslan (204) vs. Billy Elekana (204.5)145 lbs.: Mohammad Yahya (146) vs. Steven Nguyen (145.5)265 lbs.: Martin Buday (266) vs. Marcus Buchecha (254) will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Abu Dhabi fight card RIGHT HERE, starting with the ESPN/ESPN+ preliminary card matchups, which are scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. ET, followed by the remaining main card balance on ABC/ESPN+ at 3 p.m. ET. To check out the latest and greatest UFC Abu Dhabi news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archives here, here, and here. For the updated and finalized 'Whittaker vs. De Ridder' fight card and ABC/ESPN+ lineup click here. More from Miocic Responds To Pressure From White And Cormier White On 'Possibly' Stripping Miocic UFC 249 Embedded: Rousey Nearly Knocked Out Cruz? Midnight Mania! Sterling Vs. Sandhagen Possible June 6 Headliner UFC 249 Odds, Under Dogs And Best Bets! Khabib Plans July Return, Vows To 'Smash Them All' Video! Jacare Breaks Social Distancing Rules Prior To UFC 249 Removal
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs De Ridder: Predictions, odds, how to watch
Robert Whittaker returns to the octagon to face Reinier De Ridder in a middleweight clash at UFC Fight Night, held at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. 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.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Max Holloway Sends a Clear Message to Ilia Topuria After His UFC 318 Victory
Max Holloway Sends a Clear Message to Ilia Topuria After His UFC 318 Victory originally appeared on Athlon Sports. A dominant win at UFC 318 sets the stage for a potential high-stakes rematch. It was an emotional night at UFC 318, as fans witnessed the farewell fight of a true legend. Dustin Poirier closed out his storied career in front of a roaring hometown crowd in New Orleans, but the night belonged to Max Holloway. In their trilogy bout, Holloway avenged his loss from UFC 236 in emphatic fashion, silencing the crowd and reminding everyone that his story is far from over. But even in a night filled with history, Holloway's post-fight comments hinted that the chapter ahead could be just as compelling. In a post-fight interview with Carlos Contreras Legaspi, captured by Championship Rounds, Holloway was asked point-blank about running it back with Ilia Topuria. His response was raw: 'For doing what he did to me. The first man to [knock me out]. Of course I want revenge.' Those words quickly ignited speculation about what's next for the former champion. Interestingly, Holloway wasn't shy about Topuria during fight week either. While acknowledging the Spaniard's recent success, he also downplayed the streak: 'He has names and he beat the names — you can't deny that,' Holloway said. 'It just sucks with everything that was going on with that Volk fight… people are just looking at the name and not the record. Charles was on a 1-fight win streak. At the end of the day, they're just names. UFC is lining them up and he's just knocking them down.' With a decisive win over Poirier and a move toward the lightweight mix, a Holloway-Topuria rematch is definitely an option. It's personal, it's marketable, and it could settle one of the most shocking results in recent UFC history. If the UFC wants a fight fans will rally behind, this is the one. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
