Returning to the hotbed of mixed martial arts that is Abu Dhabi, the UFC sets the table for a monumental middleweight clash in the main event of UFC on ABC 9 when former titleholder Robert Whittaker battles ONE Championship standout Reinier de Ridder. Before that, though, previous bantamweight champion Petr Yan will contend with rising contender Marcus McGhee.
UFC on ABC 9 Main Event
Coming off of an unfortunate loss to current title challenger Khamzat Chimaev, Whittaker is eager to return back to the win column and start another fruitful run toward his previous belt. Crossing paths with a once two-division king, “The Reaper” will need to muster every ounce of determination he has in order to stem the warpath of the streaking Dutchman at UFC on ABC 9.
At one point in time, de Ridder was known as one of the greatest ONE Championship athletes in the world, having reigned over the promotion’s 185-lb and 205-lb categories. Now looking to add even more to his astounding legacy, “The Dutch Knight” now has the biggest prize in combat sports in his sights: a UFC championship. He continues his quest with the UFC on ABC 9 main event.
May 3, 2025, Nashville, Tennessee, USA: UFC FIGHT NIGHT SANDHAGEN VS FIGUEIREDO DES MOINES, IA-MAY 3: R-L Reinier de RIDDER kicks Bo Nickal in a Middleweight bout during the UFC FIGHT NIGHT event at Wells Fargo Arena on MAY 3, 2025 in DES MOINES, IA Nashville USA – ZUMAHT S 20250503_zsp_r187_068 Copyright: xJustinxRenfroex
UFC on ABC 9 Co-Main Event
Riding a terrific two-fight win streak, Yan still remains one of the most dangerous names amongst the 135-lb elite. Appearing to be hitting his physical prime, “No Mercy” is seeking another statement-making victory over the heavy-handed McGhee during UFC on ABC 9.
Undefeated in over three years, McGhee has begun to hit his stride as a mixed martial artist over the course of his UFC journey. Now a ranked contender in the weight class, “The Maniac” has the chance to dramatically jump up the bantamweight pecking order with a triumph over a former champion.
Here’s how to watch UFC on ABC 9
Online Streaming: You can catch the entire card on ESPN+, but you will need to subscribe in order to do so. Right now, the company is offering a monthly or yearly subscription of $11.99 and $119.99 respectively. For those who want to get more bang out of their buck, there is also the monthly Disney Bundle Deal, which offers ESPN+, Hulu, and Disney+ for $16.99 with included commercials, or $26.99 for no commercials at all.
Start Time and Date: The Preliminaries begin at 12 noon ET, followed by the Main Card at 3 pm ET on July 26
Bout Order for UFC on ABC 9
Main Card:
Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder (Middleweight Main Event)
Petr Yan vs. Marcus McGhee (Bantamweight Co-Main Event)
Shara Magomedov vs. Marc-André Barriault (Middleweight)
Asu Almabaev vs. Jose Ochoa (Flyweight)
Nikita Krylov vs. Bogdan Guskov (Light Heavyweight)
Preliminaries:
Bryce Mitchell vs. Said Nurmagomedov (Bantamweight Featured Bout)
Muslim Salikhov vs. Carlos Leal Miranda (Welterweight)
Davey Grant vs. Da’Mon Blackshear (Bantamweight)
Amanda Ribas vs. Tabatha Ricci (Women’s Strawweight)
İbo Aslan vs. Billy Elekana (Light Heavyweight)
Mohammad Yahya vs. Steven Nguyen (Featherweight)
Martin Buday vs. Marcus Buchecha (Heavyweight)