Latest news with #RobertWhittaker
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC Abu Dhabi: Robert Whittaker Set to Face Fastest-Rising Middleweight Star in Legacy Fight
UFC Abu Dhabi: Robert Whittaker Set to Face Fastest-Rising Middleweight Star in Legacy Fight originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The UFC is returning to Abu Dhabi this summer, and Dana White has confirmed a massive lineup for the July 26 Fight Night event at the Etihad Arena. Headlining the card is former champion Robert Whittaker, who will face Reinier de Ridder in a pivotal middleweight showdown. Whittaker's name carries weight in the sport, but this might be the kind of fight that redefines it. It's a test, a statement, and maybe—just maybe—a turning point. Advertisement Whittaker, 34, the proud Australian and former UFC middleweight champion, hasn't been seen in the Octagon since UFC 308, where a face crank from Khamzat Chimaev brought a sudden, painful end to his night. Robert WhittakerGetty Images The first-round submission didn't just stop the fight—it popped his jaw and wrecked his lower teeth. There were reports that you could hear a pop from cageside. Since then, Whittaker's been on the mend, and now he's stepping right back into the fire. Standing in his way is Reinier de Ridder, also 34—a submission ace from the Netherlands and former two-division champ in ONE Championship. De Ridder has quietly built a resume of chaos, finishing his last three opponents, including a dominant submission win over then-undefeated Bo Nickal. His grappling pedigree is no joke, and he has a way of dragging opponents into deep water fast. Reinier de Ridder© Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images For Whittaker, it's more than just another fight. This is the kind of moment careers pivot on. He's danced with the best—Adesanya, Romero, Cannonier, Vettori, and most recently, Chimaev. He knows the pressure of the big stage. But he also knows that in a division this stacked, there's no room to fall behind. Advertisement Ranked #5, he could be one big win away from title talk—or one stumble away from being passed by. If he's able to put on a dominant performance in Abu Dhabi, talk of rematches with Chimaev or current champion Dricus du Plessis could quickly come into focus. Both fights carry storylines that fans are eager to revisit—and Whittaker knows he has unfinished business with both. And he won't be alone under the spotlight. The rest of the card is loaded with names and matchups that scream action: UFC FIGHT NIGHT: ABU DHABI – July 26 | Etihad Arena Bout order subject to change Middleweight Bout 🇦🇺 #5 Robert Whittaker vs. #12 Reinier de Ridder 🇳🇱 5-Round Co-Main Event – Featherweight Bout 🇷🇺 Movsar Evloev vs. Aaron Pico 🇺🇸 Bantamweight Bout 🇷🇺 #3 Petr Yan vs. #13 Marcus McGhee 🇺🇸 Featherweight Bout 🇺🇸 Bryce Mitchell vs. Said Nurmagomedov 🇷🇺 Middleweight Bout 🇷🇺 Shara Magomedov vs. Marc-André Barriault 🇨🇦 Light Heavyweight Bout 🇷🇺 Nikita Krylov vs. Bogdan Guskov 🇺🇿 With top-ranked contenders, proven veterans, and breakout prospects all sharing the stage, UFC Abu Dhabi feels like more than a Fight Night—it feels like a reckoning. For Whittaker, the stakes couldn't be higher. Advertisement Related: Ben Askren: New Update Reveals Emotional Details on UFC Veteran's Ongoing Health Battle Related: Team Makhachev Reveals UFC's Power Play to Elevate Ilia Topuria This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
Forbes
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
UFC Abu Dhabi Opening Betting Odds
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - OCTOBER 26: Robert Whittaker of New Zealand prepares to face ... More Khamzat Chimaev of Russia in a middleweight fight during the UFC 308 event at Etihad Arena on October 26, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) 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. 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. RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - JUNE 22: Robert Whittaker of New Zealand reacts after his victory against ... More Ikram Aliskerov of Russia in a middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Kingdom Arena on June 22, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) 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. DES MOINES, IOWA - MAY 03: Reinier de Ridder of The Netherlands reacts after his TKO victory over Bo ... More Nickal in their middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Wells Fargo Arena on May 03, 2025 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC) 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. 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 Saturday, July 26, 2025 TBA Etihad Arena, Yas Island, United Arab Emirates Man Card: ABC Preliminary Card: ESPN2 We will have more on the UFC Abu Dhabi 2025 fight card as news becomes available.
USA Today
16-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder: Odds and what to know ahead of UFC on ABC 9
Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder: Odds and what to know ahead of UFC on ABC 9 Robert Whittaker will aim to halt another rising middleweight contender at UFC on ABC 9. Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder preview Whittaker (26-8 MMA, 17-6 UFC) is coming off a first-round submission loss to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308 last October, a setback which resulted in the former middleweight champion needing dental surgery. Prior to that, Whittaker scored back-to-back wins over Paulo Costa and Ikram Aliskerov. Unbeaten in the octagon, De Ridder (20-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC) handed the highly touted Bo Nickal his first career loss when he finished him by second-round TKO at UFC on ESPN 67 earlier this month. The former ONE middleweight and light heavyweight champion has finished 18 of his 20 professional wins. Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder odds According to FanDuel, former UFC champion Whittaker is a moderate -188 favorite to beat former ONE dual-champion De Ridder, who's a +146 underdog. How to watch Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder at UFC on ABC 9 Where: Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi Broadcast/streaming: ESPN, ESPN+ When: Saturday, July 26, 2025
Forbes
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
UFC Announces Five Matchups For UFC Abu Dhabi 2025 Fight Card
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 17: Robert Whittaker of New Zealand prepares to face Paulo Costa of ... More Brazil in their middleweight fight during UFC 298 at Honda Center on February 17, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) The UFC heads back to Abu Dhabi on July 26 for a UFC Fight Night event. The promotion has announced the first four bouts for the fight card, including a middleweight main event between former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker and the fast-rising Reinier de Ridder. 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 Saturday, July 26, 2025 TBA Etihad Arena, Yas Island, United Arab Emirates TBA ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - OCTOBER 26: Robert Whittaker of New Zealand prepares to face ... More Khamzat Chimaev of Russia in a middleweight fight during the UFC 308 event at Etihad Arena on October 26, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) 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. DES MOINES, IOWA - MAY 03: Reinier de Ridder of The Netherlands reacts after his TKO victory over Bo ... More Nickal in their middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Wells Fargo Arena on May 03, 2025 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC) 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. We will have more on the UFC Abu Dhabi 2025 fight card as news becomes available.
Time Out Abu Dhabi
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi: Everything you need to know
Ready for an Octagon showdown like no other? UFC Fight Night is back in Abu Dhabi and it's bringing a heavyweight (well, middleweight) clash to Yas Island. On Saturday, July 26, the spotlight turns to Etihad Arena where former champ Robert Whittaker faces off against rising grappling phenom Reinier de Ridder – and trust us, this is one fight card you don't want to miss. Whittaker (27-8-0), hailing from New South Wales, Australia, is a fan favourite and one of the most technical strikers in the division. He's looking to bounce back with a statement win, but standing in his way is de Ridder (20-2-0), a Dutch submission machine who just handed Bo Nickal his first-ever loss. Yep, the guy means business. But that's not all. The undercard is stacked with thrilling matchups: Nikita Krylov vs Bogdan Guskov (Light Heavyweight): Russia vs Uzbekistan in a classic striker vs brawler clash. Ramazan Temirov vs Asu Almabayev (Flyweight): Expect speed, precision and fireworks. Ibo Aslan vs Billy Elekana (Light Heavyweight): This one's got KO written all over it. Tickets are now on sale at and – and if you want to go full VIP, has you covered with premium seating, backstage access and athlete meet-and-greets. If you want to stay ringside in style, you can also make a weekend of it with the UFC Fight Night staycation package at Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island. Book a Deluxe Room or Suite and you'll score a complimentary UFC ticket for each night you stay. Think beach views, gourmet dining, infinity pools, spa sessions and all the adrenaline you can handle. But act fast – this package is only valid until July 25. It's going to be a night of spinning elbows, takedowns and unforgettable moments. Whether you're a seasoned MMA aficionado or just in it for the drama, this is where you'll want to be. From Dhs500. Saturday July 26. Etihad Arena, Yas Island. More in Abu Dhabi… Everything happening in Abu Dhabi in 2025 From new openings to big events, this is shaping up to be quite a year It's official: Abu Dhabi Comedy Season is returning for a second edition with some huge names Wow, look at this line-up The 2025 concert line-up in Abu Dhabi just keeps getting better and better So many big names coming to the capital
