In what is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated UFC Fight Night cards of the year, former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker will face surging Dutch star Reinier de Ridder in the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi.
Set against the electric backdrop of the UAE capital, the event will mark the 21st UFC showcase in Abu Dhabi since 2010 and promises to deliver fireworks from top to bottom.
UFC President Dana White confirmed the blockbuster headliner via social media, hailing it as a potential title eliminator for the undefeated De Ridder.
A former dual champion in ONE Championship, De Ridder has made a seamless transition to the UFC, racking up three consecutive finishes since his debut.
His latest triumph — a dominant win over top prospect Bo Nickal — has positioned him as a legitimate contender in the 185-pound division.
“De Ridder is a former middleweight and light heavyweight world champion and has finished every one he has fought in the UFC,” said White.
“If De Ridder can beat Whittaker, it’s very likely he’ll be fighting for the No. 1 contender bout next. I am pumped for this fight because these guys are both killers — and they always come out and deliver.”
Whittaker, the battle-hardened former champion, remains a perennial force in the middleweight rankings. Known for his striking precision and resilience, the Australian will be eager to halt De Ridder’s rapid ascent and stake his own claim for another shot at the title.
The co-main event adds another layer of intrigue, with undefeated featherweight contender Movsar Evloev squaring off against high-profile newcomer Aaron Pico.
Evloev, 28, has yet to taste defeat in the UFC and most recently earned a decision win over former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling at UFC 310 in December 2024.
Pico, one of MMA’s most hyped prospects and a former Bellator standout, joins the UFC with a 13-4 professional record and a reputation for devastating knockouts and elite grappling.
“Aaron Pico is a ridiculously violent striker and a very high-level grappler,” said White. “He’s had hype behind him since he was a teenager… people compare him to guys like Justin Gaethje or Dustin Poirier.”
Also featured on the card is the return of former bantamweight champion Petr Yan, who takes on rising American talent Marcus McGhee. After a difficult 2023, Yan bounced back with key wins over Song Yadong and Deiveson Figueiredo and is eyeing another title run.
The main card will also include Bryce Mitchell vs. Said Nurmagomedov in a bantamweight clash, Shara Magomedov vs. Marc-Andre Barriault in the middleweight division, and a light heavyweight bout between Nikita Krylov and Bogdan Guskov.
With two five-round bouts and a lineup of elite contenders and former champions, UFC Abu Dhabi is poised to deliver an unforgettable night of world-class MMA action.