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.
UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. De Ridder predictions
ESPN: De Ridder
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."
BetMGM: De Ridder
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."
Forbes: Whittaker to beat De Ridder via decision
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.
- Date: Saturday, July 26
- Time: 12 p.m. ET
- TV: ESPN and ABC
- Stream: ESPN+ and Disney+
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:
- Robert Whittaker (-170) vs. Reinier de Ridder (+140): Middleweight
- Petr Yan (-400) vs. Marcus McGhee (+300): Bantamweight
- Shara Magomedov (-650) vs. Marc-Andre Barriault (+425): Middleweight
- Asu Almabayev (-115) vs. Jose Ochoa (-105): Flyweight
- Nikita Krylov (-190) vs. Bogdan Guskov (+160): Light heavyweight
- Bryce Mitchell (-140) vs. Said Nurmagomedov (+120): Bantamweight
- Muslim Salikhov (+350) vs. Carlos Leal (-500): Welterweight
- Davey Grant (+280) vs. Da'Mon Blackshear (-370): Bantamweight
- Amanda Ribas (-200) vs. Tabatha Ricci (+170): Women's strawweight
- Ibo Aslan (-275) vs. Billy Elekana (+225): Light heavyweight
- Mohammad Yahya (+300) vs. Steven Nguyen (-400): Featherweight
- Martin Buday (+250) vs. Marcus Buchecha (-320): Heavyweight
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