Overview

• UFC has confirmed Robert Whittaker will headline a July 26 Fight Night against Reinier de Ridder at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
• Whittaker, a former middleweight champion, looks to rebound after a first-round submission loss to Khamzat Chimaev last October.
• De Ridder enters the fight with a 20-2 record and is undefeated in three UFC bouts, including a recent knockout of Bo Nickal.
• This matchup holds significant implications for the middleweight division, with champion Dricus Du Plessis set to face Chimaev next.
• The event continues UFC’s expansion in the Middle East, with Abu Dhabi emerging as a key venue for high-profile cards.