After a one-week break, UFC Fight Night will show a mesmerizing performance between fighters. This time, the octagon is ready, the lights are bright, and the upcoming UFC event is intense. The UFC Fight Night event will promise to be nothing short of enormous. Robert Whittaker is a former middleweight champion; this time he faces off with Reinier De Ridder. This UFC event will be a pivotal fight for a grappling phenomenon making waves in the MMA world. The UFC Fight Night event is more than just a tussle; It has a testament to resolution, skill, and the relentless pursuit of immensity. Whittaker vs. De Ridder is the main card for a seismic battle at UFC Fight Night on July 26, 2025. This main event is regular, like not between two elite middleweights with ambitions to reshape the division’s landscape. Dive into the world of all games with in-depth information and details about sports fans.
The Reaper, Robert Whittaker, enters the octagon with a chip on his shoulder and a point to prove. Once the undisputed king of the middleweight division, Whittaker’s past victories against famous fighters like Ronaldo, Derek, and Paulo have set the stage for an epic battle. Reinier “The Dutch Knight” de Ridder stands confidently across the cage, showcasing his prowess as a submission expert. His transition from ONE Championship to the UFC has been phenomenal. After a rocky start, de Ridder silenced skeptics by defeating Kevin Holland and handing Bo Nickal his first professional loss. A win for Whittaker would revive his hopes of becoming champion again. For de Ridder, winning would prove he deserves to be in the title talks. The result could change the middleweight rankings and affect future matchups. Explore in-depth analysis of MMA history with the latest updates and information that is fresh news.
Max Holloway defended his BMF title against Dustin Poirier, who retired post-fight. Jon Jones may return for a 2026 event at the White House to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. The next UFC event is on August 16 in Chicago. It features du Plessis fighting Chimaev. The UFC will also return to China for a match between Zhang Mingyang and Johnny Walker. UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. de Ridder (UFC on ABC 9) is an upcoming event in Abu Dhabi, marking the UFC’s 21st visit there. The primary fight is between Robert Whittaker, who used to be the champion in UFC, and Reinier de Ridder, who was a champion in another league. Movsar Evloev withdrew from his featherweight fight against Aaron Pico due to an injury. This has put their co-main event in jeopardy. The women’s strawweight fight between Amanda Ribas and Tabatha Ricci is rescheduled for this event for exciting reasons! In the prelims, Jose Ochoa replaces Ramazan Temirov, who withdrew after a failed drug test.
advertisement
Backdrops and MMA career
Robert John Whittaker is a former UFC Middleweight Champion with roots in Ōtāhuhu, Auckland, New Zealand, and an upbringing in Australia. He started his professional MMA career in 2009. Whittaker had seven consecutive wins from 2009 to 2011. Then, he had had one early loss on 30 October 2011. After that, Whittaker had two straight UFC wins from 2011 to 2012. Robert Whittaker had an inconsistent performance from 2012 to 2024. He quickly gained recognition for his exciting striking and strong technical skills. In 2017, Robert Whittaker made history as the first Australian to win a UFC championship. He defeated Yoel Romero to take the interim middleweight title. Get ready for updates that highlight excellent fighters from the exciting world of the UFC. There is a lot to look forward to!
Robert Whittaker, the champion after St-Pierre vacated, is known for his well-rounded skills in karate, takedown defense, and boxing. He has won against famous fighters like Ronaldo, Derek, and Paulo, showcasing his talent throughout his career. His confident fighting style features high-volume striking and excellent footwork. But what truly sets Whittaker apart is his resilience. Despite adversity, his bounce-back victories over Paulo Costa and Ikram Aliskerov showcased his trademark explosiveness, surgical striking, and indomitable spirit. Whittaker UFC has built his career on resilience and skill and is determined to show everyone he is still among the most dangerous fighters in the 185-pound weight class.
Reinier de Ridder, known as “The Dutch Knight,” is a talented mixed martial artist from the Netherlands. He has made a substantial impact in the UFC middleweight division. Reinier de Ridder began Judo at six and earned a black belt as a teenager. After high school, he trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu while in college and achieved a black belt. He owns a physical therapy clinic in Breda, balancing work with training. Ridder combines his experience in Judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu to create a strong grappling style. This approach has helped him defeat many of his opponents. He began his professional MMA career in 2013 and quickly built a reputation for finishing fights, often by submission. De Ridder began with 16 consecutive victories from 2013 to 2022. Later, he had two straight early losses from 2022 to 2024. After a loss, Reinier De Ridder has four successive wins from 2024 to 2025.
He moved from ONE Championship to UFC because people had big hopes for him. De Ridder has won important fights against Kevin Holland, Gerald Meerschaert, and Bo Nickal. His submission win over Holland solidified his status as a serious contender. De Ridder fights carefully, takes down five times in 15 minutes, and tries for a submission each round. He is a great grappler in the UFC. He can hold his opponents down and win fights quickly.His grappling is top-notch—smooth, overpowering, and unyielding. De Ridder has gained a better reputation because of his improving striking skills. He used these skills to beat Nickal without going to the ground. Ridder views Robert Whittaker as a significant challenge and a title opportunity. He will face Whittaker at UFC Fight Night on July 26, 2025, aiming to secure a middleweight title shot.
Event Details for UFC Fight Night
Main Event: Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier De Ridder
Date: July 26, 2025 (Saturday)
Time: 08:00 p.m. ET | 05:00 p.m. PT | 05:30 a.m. IST (Next Day)
Venue: Etihad Arena, Yas Island/Yas West, United Arab Emirates
Where can I watch Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier De Ridder?
Join us for every thrilling moment of UFC Fight Night, exclusively on Foxtel and Kayo, Australia’s top sports streaming services! Experience the excitement of each punch, slam, and knockout, keeping you fully engaged like never before.
Watch UFC Fight Night live on ESPN+ as two middleweight fighters go head-to-head! Robert Whittaker, known for his record number of knockouts, will face the undefeated rising star Reinier De Ridder.
Bell proudly presents UFC Fight Night in stunning HD across Canada, ensuring you won’t miss a single exhilarating moment in crystal-clear clarity. Whether you’re at home or on the move, Bell guarantees an unparalleled UFC Fight Night experience.
UFC Fight Night: Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier De Ridder promises to showcase skill and athleticism in the middleweight division. Robert Whittaker, who is good at knocking out his opponents, will fight Reinier De Ridder, who is fast and wants to show off his skills in the ring. This UFC Fight Night matchup highlights the exciting potential and diverse styles within the sport.
Get ready for UFC Fight Night: Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier De Ridder—stream it live on Sony Liv! Don’t miss a moment of this epic showdown, where elite fighters showcase their skills in a fully immersive MMA experience. No interruptions, no delays—just raw intensity from the opening bell to the final round. Witness history in the making as legends battle in the octagon!
Prepare for an exciting UFC Fight Night featuring Robert Whittaker vs. undefeated talent Reinier De Ridder. This UFC Fight Night matchup represents a fascinating intersection of extensive experience and emerging dominance within MMA.
Attention, UFC fans in the U.K.—get ready for an electrifying night of action on TNT Sports! Robert Whittaker and Reinier De Ridder are set to go head-to-head, and you won’t want to miss a single moment. Stream every knockout, takedown, and epic showdown live on the TNT Sports app. This UFC Fight Night is where legends are made—be prepared to witness greatness!
Experience the thrill of UFC Fight Night live on Bet365.com. You’ll see every moment of the action without any delays. Enjoy nonstop MMA excitement.
Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier De Ridder Fight Card
Main Card
Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier De Ridder (Middleweight)
Movsar Evloev vs. Aaron Pico (Featherweight)
Petr Yan vs. Marcus McGhee (Bantamweight)
Shara Magomedov vs. Marc-Andre Barriault (Middleweight)
Asu Almabayev vs. Ramazan Temirov (Flyweight)
Nikita Krylov vs. Bogdan Guskov (Light Heavyweight)
Prelims
Bryce Mitchell vs. Said Nurmagomedov (Bantamweight)
Muslim Salikhov vs. Carlos Leal (Welterweight)
Davey Grant vs. Da’Mon Blackshear (Bantamweight)
Amanda Ribas vs. Tabatha Ricci (Women’s Strawweight)
Ibo Aslan vs. Billy Elekana (Light Heavyweight)
Mohammad Yahya vs. Steven Nguyen (Featherweight)
Martin Buday vs. Marcus Buchecha (Heavyweight)
Robert Whittaker Stats and Bio
Nationality: Australian
Age: 34
Height: 6’0”
Reach: 731/2″
Total Fights: 34
Record: 26-8-0 (10 knockouts)
Reinier De Ridder Stats and Bio
Nationality: Dutch
Age: 34
Height: 6’4″
Reach: 79″
Total Fights: 22
Record: 20-2-0 (5 Knockouts)
Prediction for UFC Fight Night
Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier De Ridder
This UFC Fight Night will be between Whittaker and De Ridder in the octagon. Robert Whittaker currently contends in the middleweight division in the UFC. He is a former UFC Middleweight Champion and the first Australian to win a UFC Championship. Recently, he was in 5th position in the UFC middleweight rankings. Whittaker passed in this octagon as a seasoned striker with sharp technique, which made him arduous to form. His ability to control distance and fire off fast combinations keeps opponents from taking him down. Despite his struggles on the ground remaining a concern, he was controlled on the mat in recent fights. Whittaker’s UFC striking is razor sharp; he blends with rapid speed and accuracy that can UFC Fight Night. His ability to pull apart opponents on their feet is top-tier. He tends to dominate with high-level takedown defense power.
Robert Whittaker is no stranger to the spotlight, has faced the best of the best and emerged triumphant repeatedly. Whittaker is well known for his explosive striking, impeccable footwork, and unyielding spirit. He embodies the heart of a champion. His journey had been a case of resilience—bouncing back from setbacks and proving that greatness never takes advantage. This fight is more than an opportunity to remind the world why he’s one of the most unmemorable fighters. His ability and hunger to win make him a formidable opponent for anyone who dares to stand against him. Whittaker’s striking is fast, precise, and devastating, showcasing his talent for mixing attacks and keeping opponents guessing.Fighting Reinier de Ridder will be hard for Whittaker. De Ridder likes to take fights to the ground, so Whittaker has to be careful. He should use his skills in standing fights to win.
Conversely, Reinier De Ridder thrives in those exact grappling circumstances, with a submission-heavy approach honed in ONE Championship. He brings pressure, top control, and a relentless hunt for the finish. De Ridder risks being pieced round by round, and he’s unable to get Whittaker to the ground. His striking had enhanced but was still not quite on Whittaker’s level. Fans affectionately call him by his initials “RDR,” and he also competes in the middleweight division. As of July 22, 2025, he is ranked 13th in the UFC middleweight rankings. He is past rivalled in ONE Championship because he is the former ONE Middleweight World Champion and ONE Light Heavyweight World Champion. This matchup features two different fighting styles—striking skills versus grappling strength. Fans are excited about a potential classic fight in Abu Dhabi. No matter the outcome, this match will change the middleweight division.
This fight will likely go in a few clear ways. Whittaker plans to use his movement and accuracy to keep the fight on the feet. He aims to deal damage and may win by knockout or decision. If De Ridder takes him down early, he could gain momentum. This UFC might increase his chances of winning by submission. Whittaker could successfully counter takedowns, while De Ridder might use creative moves or clinch techniques to wear him down. De Ridder is mainly known for his grappling skills, but his striking has also greatly improved. This makes him a strong competitor in all areas. De Ridder’s exceptional submission techniques and dominant ground control make him an incredibly challenging competitor. Whittaker’s takedown defense is crucial for his success and will face an actual test. Therefore, Robert Whittaker will have more chances to secure a victory in their anticipated UFC Fight Night event.
The Pick: Robert Whittaker via Decision