Latest news with #DeRidder
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC Fight Night Whittaker vs. De Ridder: Time, how to watch UFC from Abu Dhabi
Robert Whittaker will face Reinier De Ridder face off in a middleweight bout at UFC Fight Night at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, July 26. Whittaker enters the ring with a record of 27 wins and 8 losses. He aims to turn things around in his first fight of 2025, following his last match, which ended in a first-round submission loss to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308 in October 2024. On the other hand, De Ridder has a record of 20 wins and two losses and is currently on a four-fight winning streak, and will be considered Whittaker's toughest test to date. This fight will mark De Ridder's third of the year, following victories over Kevin Holland at UFC 311 in January and Bo Nickal at UFC Fight Night in May 2025. Here is how to watch UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. De Ridder on Saturday from Abu Dhabi: UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs De Ridder: Predictions, odds, how to watch UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. De Ridder 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+.
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- 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.
Al Etihad
5 days ago
- Sport
- Al Etihad
UFC Fight Night: Whittaker, De Ridder out on statement missions in Abu Dhabi
24 July 2025 22:06 KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)UFC Fight Night returns to Abu Dhabi with a compelling main event between former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker and decorated Dutch grappler Reinier de Ridder when they clash this Saturday. The co-main event will see former bantamweight titleholder Petr Yan go up against a surging Marcus McGhee. Whittaker enters the main event with renewed focus after a period of recovery and reflection following his submission loss to Khamzat Chimaev in late 2024. That bout left him with a damaged jaw and a long dental rehabilitation, but he returns with fresh determination and a well-tested resolve. 'Better than ever, and all paid for by Dana [White, the UFC President] as it was a work injury,' said Whittaker with a wry smile before the open workouts on Thursday. Robert Whittaker In his way is a man who has been lapping up every opportunity in the past year, having competed in the UAE Warriors around this time when he got the UFC call-up. 'It has been a crazy ride, but I am happy ... also that whoever the UFC put in front of me, I have won even though I wasn't expected to. Even now, Whittaker may have lost but he is a legend of the game and been here so long, but I fancy my chances,' the Dutchman said, referring to his opponent's loss to clarified that his jaw wasn't broken as reported earlier. 'My teeth got moved in ... they were crappy teeth, so I just got rid of them,' he said. Reflecting on his recovery, he added: 'I spent some time with the family… focused on some other projects… and worked on some new skills.' Those skills will have been honed for De Ridder, said a tough-talking Whittaker. 'He hasn't fought anyone like me. I will be landing my mitts on him with my striking.'Three of the biggest bouts over the next two months are in the middleweight division and it all kicks off with De Ridder's main event with Whittaker. And De Ridder recognises that he's in a good position because the only fighters to beat Whittaker in the past decade have gone onto either win championships or immediately fight for the title. De Ridder earlier said his strategy will not be based on Whittaker's fight with Chimaev: 'I won't change my approach or pace – I think that's just kind of what I do. I'll put it all on him.' Reinier de Ridder The co-main fight between Yan and McGhee is also a statement fight of sorts, which will either reaffirm Yan's comeback or fuel McGhee's surprise ascent like De less experienced in five-round fights, McGhee has shown he can maintain output and composure over three intense rounds. This fight will test the American's ability, though, to adjust to Yan's pace and potentially deal with an underused but highly effective wrestling style if the striking exchanges do not favour the said he was confident. 'I am hoping for that… with a competent win this Saturday, I'll make sure to cement my place as the next contender. I think it's the right thing to do.'A humble McGhee, meanwhile, admitted to the underdog status. 'How could you not be surprised?' he said when offered the fight against Yan on short notice, adding: 'Honestly anything can happen in this game.'The undercard also features several matchups with divisional implications. Undefeated featherweight contender Movsar Evloev takes on Aaron Pico in what could be a breakout fight for the Magomedov returns in a middleweight clash against Marc-André Barriault, aiming to rebound from a rare defeat earlier this year. Fan-favourite Bryce Mitchell debuts at bantamweight against Said Nurmagomedov, promising an unpredictable stylistic clash between wrestling-heavy approaches and Dagestani precision. Main Card Robert Whittaker (27-8-0) vs. Reinier de Ridder (20-2-0)Petr Yan (18-5-0) vs. Marcus McGhee (10-1-0)Shara Magomedov (15-1-0) vs. Marc-Andre Barriault (17-9-0)Asu Almabayev (21-3-0) vs. Jose Ochoa (8-1-0)Nikita Krylov (30-10-0) vs. Bogdan Guskov (17-3-0) Prelimary Card Bryce Mitchell (17-4-0) vs. Said Nurmagomedov (18-4-0)Muslim Salikhov (21-5-0) vs. Carlos Leal (22-6-0)Davey Grant (16-7-0) vs. Da'Mon Blackshear (17-7-1)Amanda Ribas (12-6-0) vs. Tabatha Ricci (11-3-0)Ibo Aslan (14-2-0) vs. Billy Elekana (7-2-0)Mohammad Yahya (12-5-0) vs. Steven Nguyen (9-2-0)Martin Buday (15-2-0) vs. Marcus Buchecha (5-1-0)
USA Today
21-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Reinier de Ridder ready to step in for Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 if necessary
ABU DHABI – Reinier de Ridder plans on keeping a busy schedule if things fall into place for him. De Ridder (20-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC) takes on former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker (26-8 MMA, 17-6 UFC) in the UFC on ABC 9 main event July 26 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. De Ridder hopes to outbid the winner of Nassourdine Imavov vs. Caio Borralho in the UFC Paris headliner on Sept. 6. "I'm leaning towards Imavov in that one just because he's so complete, so relaxed in there," De Ridder told MMA Junkie. "He seems to be very much in control, but hopefully it's just a boring fight, and nobody wants to watch, nothing happens. That will be ideal." The former two-division ONE champion has finished all three of his UFC opponents and knows he'll likely need one more definitive performance to cement his spot as No. 1 contender. "Hopefully if I can do well, it all depends on how the fight goes," De Ridder said. "Like a win is not enough. I need to finish him. I need to finish him early, hopefully spectacularly, and as I said, we all hope Imavov and Borralho is boring, goes five rounds, nothing happens. That would be perfect, or maybe Khamzat pulls out last minute and they give me a call. We'll see." Khamzat Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) challenges middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis (23-2 MMA, 9-0 UFC) in the UFC 319 main event on Aug. 16 from United Center in Chicago. Entering his fifth fight in less than a year, De Ridder wants to keep the ball rolling and will be ready to fill in for Chimaev if he withdraws – but would rather not weigh in as a backup. "I'll be ready to fight again, or as I said, I might be ready to step in last minute if necessary," De Ridder said. "So, we'll see what happens. Weighing in is the hardest part, so hopefully not weighing in at all. We'll see."
USA Today
18-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Reinier de Ridder: Pressure key in beating Robert Whittaker at UFC on ABC 9
ABU DHABI – Reinier de Ridder plans on bringing the fight to Robert Whittaker at UFC on ABC 9. De Ridder (20-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC) meets former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker (26-8 MMA, 17-6 UFC) in the July 26 main event at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. De Ridder won't put too much stock into Whittaker's quick submission loss to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308. Instead, he expects the version who blasted Ikram Aliskerov for a first-round knockout at UFC on ABC 6. "He's been at the top for so long. We've seen him win spectacularly. We've seen him lose spectacularly," De Ridder told MMA Junkie of Whittaker. "The Khamzat fight I don't put too much in because it was clear that that wasn't a great choke. The positioning wasn't perfect, the positioning of his arms wasn't perfect. I just think he got lucky there. That injury was already in place, and he was able to take advantage of that. "But a little while before that against Ikram (Aliskerov), he did amazing. Robert did very well, and it showed us how dangerous he still is. It's a great warning for me that I cannot go into the fight like Ikram did. I cannot give him space. I cannot give him time to look and see, because he has real knockout power, and very nice, clean, straight shots. I've got to be very mindful of that." De Ridder was able to walk down previously undefeated Bo Nickal, wear him out, and finish him at UFC on ESPN 67. He plans on doing the same to Whittaker. "The pressure is the most important thing for me," De Ridder said. "I've got to put pressure on him. I've got to bring the heat early because I cannot let him move. I cannot let him see what's happening. I cannot let him play. He likes to bounce. He likes to look, and I'm sure I'm going to take him down. It's what I like the most, and I have to put him on his ass at least once. But we'll see if I can do damage meanwhile before."
