UFC Abu Dhabi happens TODAY (Sat., July 26, 2025) inside Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The main event is Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder. With the run de Ridder has been on — and with Whittaker’s top reputation in the division — the winner of this one could be in line for the winner of Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev. Whittaker is hoping to earn one of those rematches by refusing to play de Ridder’s game.
UFC Abu Dhabi’s co-main is Petr Yan vs. Marcus McGhee. McGhee is undefeated (4-0) to start his UFC career and he’s been given a massive step up in competition here. Yan is fighting someone way outside the Top 5 because he’s pretty much fought everyone else.
Also on the main card is Shara Magomedov vs. Marc-Andre Barriault in a fight that should produce a knockout. Rounding out this main card is Asu Almabayev vs. Jose Ochoa and Nikita Krylov vs. Bogdan Guskov.
UFC Abu Dhabi’s “Prelims” are headlined by Bryce Mitchell vs. Said Nurmagomedov. “Prelims” are also where we find Amanda Ribas vs. Tabatha Ricci, Davey Grant vs. Da’Mon Blackshear and Martin Buday against multiple-time world Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion, Marcus Buchecha.
UFC ABU DHABI START TIME, DATE
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Abu Dhabi card below, starting with the ESPN/ABC “Prelims” matches, which begin at 12 p.m. ET, then the remaining main card on ESPN/ABC at 3 p.m. ET.
Keep in mind that we will also be the spot for the latest news, recaps, and post-fight analysis following “Whittaker vs. de Ridder” Without further delay, see below for the updated UFC Abu Dhabi results. (Note: This will go from the top down; therefore, look to the top of the stream for the newest update).
UFC ABU DHABI QUICK RESULTS
185 lbs.: Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder
135 lbs.: Petr Yan vs. Marcus McGhee
185 lbs.: Shara Magomedov vs. Marc-Andre Barriault
125 lbs.: Asu Almabayev vs. Jose Ochoa
205 lbs.: Nikita Krylov vs. Bogdan Guskov
135 lbs.: Bryce Mitchell vs. Said Nurmagomedov
170 lbs.: Muslim Salikhov vs. Carlos Leal — Salikhov def. Leal by KO (right hook), round 1 (0:42)
135 lbs.: Davey Grant vs. Da’Mon Blackshear — Grant def. Da’Mon Blackshear by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
115 lbs.: Amanda Ribas vs. Tabatha Ricci — Ricci def. Ribas by TKO (elbow and punches), round 2 (2:59) — HIGHLIGHTS!
205 lbs.: Ibo Aslan vs. Billy Elekana — Elekana def. Aslan by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
145 lbs.: Mohammad Yahya vs. Steven Nguyen — Nguyen def. Yahya by TKO (doctor stoppage), round 5 (5:00) — HIGHLIGHTS!
265 lbs.: Martin Buday vs. Marcus Buchecha — Buday def. Buchecha by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
UFC ABU DHABI ‘WHITTAKER VS. DE RIDDER’ PLAY-BY-PLAY UPDATES
The Etihad Arena hosts the UFC in Abu Dhabi this weekend.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
LIVE! Stream UFC Abu Dhabi On ESPN+
MIDDLEWEIGHT MAYHEM! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to Etihad Arena on “Fight Island” this Sat. night (July 26, 2025) with UFC Abu Dhabi. That’s where former middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker, collides with red-hot submission specialist, Reinier de Ridder, in a fast-paced main event mashup scheduled for five, five-minute rounds. In UFC Abu Dhabi’s co-main event, former 135-pound titleholder, Petr Yan, locks horns with once-beaten bantamweight bruiser, Marcus McGhee, with a spot in the division title chase up for grabs.
Don’t miss a single second of face-punching action!
To check out the latest and greatest UFC Abu Dhabi: “Whittaker vs. de Ridder” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.