UFC Fight Night: Whittaker, De Ridder out on statement missions in Abu Dhabi
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)UFC Fight Night returns to Abu Dhabi with a compelling main event between former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker and decorated Dutch grappler Reinier de Ridder when they clash this Saturday. The co-main event will see former bantamweight titleholder Petr Yan go up against a surging Marcus McGhee.
Whittaker enters the main event with renewed focus after a period of recovery and reflection following his submission loss to Khamzat Chimaev in late 2024. That bout left him with a damaged jaw and a long dental rehabilitation, but he returns with fresh determination and a well-tested resolve. 'Better than ever, and all paid for by Dana [White, the UFC President] as it was a work injury,' said Whittaker with a wry smile before the open workouts on Thursday. Robert Whittaker
In his way is a man who has been lapping up every opportunity in the past year, having competed in the UAE Warriors around this time when he got the UFC call-up. 'It has been a crazy ride, but I am happy ... also that whoever the UFC put in front of me, I have won even though I wasn't expected to. Even now, Whittaker may have lost but he is a legend of the game and been here so long, but I fancy my chances,' the Dutchman said, referring to his opponent's loss to Chimaev.Whittaker clarified that his jaw wasn't broken as reported earlier. 'My teeth got moved in ... they were crappy teeth, so I just got rid of them,' he said. Reflecting on his recovery, he added: 'I spent some time with the family… focused on some other projects… and worked on some new skills.' Those skills will have been honed for De Ridder, said a tough-talking Whittaker. 'He hasn't fought anyone like me. I will be landing my mitts on him with my striking.'Three of the biggest bouts over the next two months are in the middleweight division and it all kicks off with De Ridder's main event with Whittaker. And De Ridder recognises that he's in a good position because the only fighters to beat Whittaker in the past decade have gone onto either win championships or immediately fight for the title.
De Ridder earlier said his strategy will not be based on Whittaker's fight with Chimaev: 'I won't change my approach or pace – I think that's just kind of what I do. I'll put it all on him.' Reinier de Ridder
The co-main fight between Yan and McGhee is also a statement fight of sorts, which will either reaffirm Yan's comeback or fuel McGhee's surprise ascent like De Ridder.Though less experienced in five-round fights, McGhee has shown he can maintain output and composure over three intense rounds. This fight will test the American's ability, though, to adjust to Yan's pace and potentially deal with an underused but highly effective wrestling style if the striking exchanges do not favour the Russian.Yan said he was confident. 'I am hoping for that… with a competent win this Saturday, I'll make sure to cement my place as the next contender. I think it's the right thing to do.'A humble McGhee, meanwhile, admitted to the underdog status. 'How could you not be surprised?' he said when offered the fight against Yan on short notice, adding: 'Honestly anything can happen in this game.'The undercard also features several matchups with divisional implications. Undefeated featherweight contender Movsar Evloev takes on Aaron Pico in what could be a breakout fight for the winner.Shara Magomedov returns in a middleweight clash against Marc-André Barriault, aiming to rebound from a rare defeat earlier this year. Fan-favourite Bryce Mitchell debuts at bantamweight against Said Nurmagomedov, promising an unpredictable stylistic clash between wrestling-heavy approaches and Dagestani precision.
Main Card Robert Whittaker (27-8-0) vs. Reinier de Ridder (20-2-0)Petr Yan (18-5-0) vs. Marcus McGhee (10-1-0)Shara Magomedov (15-1-0) vs. Marc-Andre Barriault (17-9-0)Asu Almabayev (21-3-0) vs. Jose Ochoa (8-1-0)Nikita Krylov (30-10-0) vs. Bogdan Guskov (17-3-0)
Prelimary Card Bryce Mitchell (17-4-0) vs. Said Nurmagomedov (18-4-0)Muslim Salikhov (21-5-0) vs. Carlos Leal (22-6-0)Davey Grant (16-7-0) vs. Da'Mon Blackshear (17-7-1)Amanda Ribas (12-6-0) vs. Tabatha Ricci (11-3-0)Ibo Aslan (14-2-0) vs. Billy Elekana (7-2-0)Mohammad Yahya (12-5-0) vs. Steven Nguyen (9-2-0)Martin Buday (15-2-0) vs. Marcus Buchecha (5-1-0)
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