UFC Fight Night returns to Abu Dhabi in July with stacked card

ABU DHABI: UFC CEO Dana White has revealed a strong card for UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. de Ridder in Abu Dhabi on July 26 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island.

The main event will be headlined by former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker and highly-rated Dutch standout Reinier de Ridder whose seamless transition from the ONE Championship has been hugely impressive.

White took to social media to announce what promises to be one of the most thrilling Fight Night cards of the year, which will see No.12-ranked 185-pounder De Ridder, undefeated in his three UFC bouts to date, likely earn a middleweight title eliminator should he defeat Whittaker.

“De Ridder is a former middleweight and light heavyweight world champion and has finished every one he has fought in the UFC,” White said.

“He’s coming off a win over the top prospect in the sport, Bo Nickal. 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.”

The main card boasts two five-round bouts and a stacked lineup of electrifying talent, former champions, and elite contenders — all coming together for one of the year’s most anticipated international showcases, marking the 21st UFC event in Abu Dhabi since 2010.

In the co-main event in Abu Dhabi, unbeaten featherweight Movsar Evloev takes on UFC newcomer Aaron Pico. Evloev, who will be looking to extend his eight-fight winning streak since his UFC debut in 2019, most recently outpointed Aljamain Sterling in a hard-fought unanimous decision at UFC 310 in December 2024.

Pico, long considered MMA’s top free agent, recently joined the UFC roster. A decorated