The Ultimate Fighting Championship returned to Abu Dhabi for UFC on ABC 9: Whittaker vs de Ridder on July 26, 2025, delivering an action-packed card at the Etihad Arena. This historic event marked the promotion's 21st visit to the United Arab Emirates capital and first since UFC 308 in October 2024, showcasing a deep lineup of 12 compelling matchups that featured 11 ranked fighters.
The event was headlined by a fascinating clash of styles between former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker and former ONE Championship double-champion Reinier de Ridder. In a grueling five-round battle that went the distance, de Ridder pulled off the upset victory via split decision, extending his perfect UFC record and positioning himself for title contention. The co-main event saw former UFC Bantamweight Champion Petr Yan edge rising contender Marcus McGhee in a competitive decision victory.
From explosive first-round knockouts to technical grappling battles and everything in between, UFC on ABC 9: Whittaker vs de Ridder delivered nonstop entertainment and created compelling storylines that will shape multiple divisions heading into the second half of 2025.
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UFC on ABC 9: Whittaker vs de Ridder Main Card Results
Middleweight: Reinier de Ridder (Netherlands) def. Robert Whittaker (Australia) via Split Decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47)
In the main event of UFC on ABC 9: Whittaker vs de Ridder, Dutch grappling ace Reinier "RDR" de Ridder pulled off a significant upset by defeating former champion Robert "The Reaper" Whittaker via split decision after five grueling rounds. The victory extended de Ridder's perfect UFC record to 4-0 and firmly established him as a legitimate title contender in the middleweight division.
The fight was a captivating contest with dramatic momentum swings that showcased both men's elite-level skills. Each of the first three rounds featured periods where both fighters found success, with de Ridder consistently looking to initiate grappling exchanges while Whittaker utilized his signature striking to keep the former ONE champion guessing.
The first round saw de Ridder attempting to close distance and implement his grappling game plan, while Whittaker circled and picked his shots with precision. The Australian's striking looked sharp early, landing clean combinations that backed de Ridder up. However, the Dutchman remained composed, waiting for his opportunities.
Midway through the second round, de Ridder landed a notable flying knee to the body that he used to take the fight to the ground for the first time. The transition was smooth, showcasing the technical brilliance that made him a two-division champion in ONE Championship. Once on the mat, de Ridder worked methodically, looking to advance position and threaten submissions.
The third round was the most dramatic of the fight. De Ridder appeared to hurt Whittaker with strikes early in the frame, pressing his advantage. However, The Reaper turned the tide spectacularly, landing a massive overhand right that dropped the Dutchman and swung momentum decisively in his favor. Whittaker swarmed with ground-and-pound, appearing on the verge of finishing the fight.
Yet de Ridder showed incredible resilience and composure. He survived the onslaught, worked his way back to his feet, and managed to secure a big takedown midway through the round. The Dutch fighter rode out the remainder of the round in top position, potentially saving himself from a stoppage loss.
In the fourth round, de Ridder employed a Randy Couture-esque game plan, using his size to wear on Whittaker in the clinch. The grinding pressure began to take its toll on the former champion, who looked to pick his shots but found fewer opportunities as fatigue set in. De Ridder's relentless pace and positional control were winning him rounds.
The fifth and final round saw de Ridder continue his wrestling-heavy approach, securing takedowns and controlling Whittaker against the cage. While Whittaker landed some quality strikes when given space, de Ridder's grappling dominance was clear. All three judges gave de Ridder the fifth round.
When the scorecards were read, the judges were split: one scored it 47-48 for Whittaker, while two saw it 48-47 for de Ridder, giving the Dutchman the split decision victory. The 38-year-old de Ridder improved to 21-2 overall and 4-0 in the UFC, while Whittaker dropped to 26-9 and suffered his fifth loss in his last 11 fights.
Whittaker was visibly frustrated with the scoring, saying post-fight, "I'm pretty butthurt, to be honest. But it was a lot of pressure. He has a lot of skill sets." The former champion had hoped to use this fight as a springboard for one final title run before retirement, but now faces an uncertain future at 34 years old.
De Ridder, exhausted but elated, praised his opponent: "I expected to take him down and choke him out, but he was amazing, man. So tough, so durable, heavy fucking hands. I don't want to fight like this, man. This guy was too tough." He immediately called out the winner of the upcoming title fight between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev, stating, "Let's go, give me a chance to fight for that strap."
Bantamweight: Petr Yan (Russia) def. Marcus McGhee (USA) via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Former UFC Bantamweight Champion Petr Yan extended his winning streak to three fights with a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over undefeated rising contender Marcus McGhee in the UFC on ABC 9: Whittaker vs de Ridder co-main event. The competitive bout showcased Yan's championship-level experience prevailing over youthful exuberance.
McGhee entered the fight with a perfect 4-0 UFC record and was looking to make a statement against the elite competition. The 26-year-old American came out firing in the first round, treating the bout like a kickboxing match and landing a higher volume of strikes than expected against the former champion. McGhee's confidence was evident as he traded with one of the division's most technical strikers.
However, Yan's experience and precision began to show in the second round. The 32-year-old Russian started finding his range, landing a straight shot that stunned McGhee and previewed things to come. Yan's legendary boxing skills were on full display as he picked his shots with surgical precision, making McGhee pay for offensive mistakes.
Throughout the fight, McGhee showed tremendous heart and toughness, continuing to press forward despite absorbing hard punches and punishing kicks from the former champion. The American refused to wilt under the pressure, firing back with his own power shots and keeping Yan honest.
But Yan never stopped coming forward, and he never stopped delivering blows of his own. The perpetual punishment ultimately won the day, with the Russian's accumulated damage and superior technical striking earning him the nod from all three judges. Each scorecard read 29-28 in favor of Yan, reflecting the competitive but clear nature of his victory.
After the fight, Yan called for a shot at the winner of the upcoming bantamweight title fight, expressing his desire to reclaim the championship he once held. The victory keeps the 32-year-old in prime position for another title opportunity as the division continues to evolve.
For McGhee, the loss is his first as a professional but does little to diminish his status as a rising star. The American showed he belongs at the highest level and will undoubtedly get more opportunities to prove himself against elite competition. At just 26 years old, McGhee has plenty of time to develop and work his way back toward title contention.
Middleweight: Sharabutdin "Shara Bullet" Magomedov (Russia) def. Marc-Andre Barriault (Canada) via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Russian striker Sharabutdin "Shara Bullet" Magomedov returned to the win column with a dominant unanimous decision victory over durable Canadian Marc-Andre Barriault in a fan-friendly slugfest. Despite suffering a broken nose during the bout that required post-fight surgery and hospitalization, Magomedov showcased the striking skills that have made him one of the division's most exciting prospects.
As expected, Barriault opened the fight with relentless pressure, looking to close distance and impose his will on the striker. However, Magomedov implemented his game plan to perfection, utilizing stick-and-move tactics with his kicking attack. "Shara Bullet" went to work early on Barriault's lead leg, landing thudding kicks that visibly damaged the Canadian's mobility.
Barriault showed his wrestling pedigree by switching to a double-leg takedown, briefly gaining top position. The two exchanged heavy shots in the clinch, including a significant knee from Magomedov that hurt Barriault. Despite the Canadian's pressure, his lead leg was getting absolutely chewed up after just a few minutes of action.
While Barriault was able to find the clinch frequently enough, he wasn't winning the exchanges there. The first round clearly belonged to Magomedov, whose kicks were landing with punishing accuracy and accumulating damage.
The second round saw Magomedov's kicks continue to land with a thudding impact. However, it was during this round that the Russian suffered his broken nose, causing him to breathe through his mouth for the remainder of the fight. Despite the injury, Magomedov refused to change his approach, continuing to attack with his diverse striking arsenal.
Barriault showed incredible durability, absorbing tremendous punishment but continuing to press forward. The Canadian's toughness was on full display as he refused to quit despite the one-sided nature of the striking exchanges. However, the accumulating damage was evident, with Barriault's movement becoming increasingly compromised.
The third round was more of the same, with Magomedov controlling the action with his superior striking while Barriault bravely but futilely continued to pursue. When the final horn sounded, there was no doubt about the outcome. All three judges scored the fight 30-27 in favor of Magomedov.
After the fight, Magomedov underwent a nose operation to repair the damage sustained during the bout. In a post-fight statement, he gave an injury update, explaining that while the broken nose was serious, it wouldn't keep him sidelined for long. The 30-year-old Russian bounced back from his previous loss and re-established himself as a contender in the middleweight division.
For Barriault, the loss was his second in three fights and raises questions about his future in the division. The 34-year-old Canadian showed his trademark toughness but was simply outclassed by the superior striker.
Flyweight: Asu Almabayev (Kazakhstan) def. Jose Ochoa (Peru) via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Kazakhstani flyweight Asu Almabayev got back into the win column with a grinding unanimous decision victory over Peru's Jose Ochoa. The wrestling-heavy performance showcased Almabayev's grappling superiority, though the 22-year-old Ochoa demonstrated enough skill and heart to keep the fight competitive.
Almabayev implemented a classic wrestling-based game plan, consistently looking to drag Ochoa to the canvas and control position. The Kazakhstani was successful in securing multiple takedowns throughout the three rounds, using his superior grappling to nullify Ochoa's striking.
Once on the ground, Almabayev worked methodically from top position, occasionally landing strikes and constantly threatening to advance to more dominant positions. He also worked to take Ochoa's back on several occasions, showing the positional awareness that has made him a prospect to watch at 125 pounds.
However, Ochoa showed impressive defensive grappling for someone so young and relatively inexperienced at this level. The Peruvian fighter defended well, worked his way back to his feet multiple times, and even found opportunities to land offense of his own in several scrambles. His resilience kept the fight interesting throughout.
When the fight remained standing, Ochoa showed flashes of his striking potential, landing clean shots that demonstrated why many consider him a prospect worth watching. However, these moments were too brief to swing rounds in his favor, as Almabayev's wrestling control time was the dominant factor.
All three judges scored the bout in favor of Almabayev, with two judges seeing it 30-27 and one scoring it 29-28. The victory was important for the Kazakhstani fighter, who had suffered a setback in his previous outing and needed to get back on track.
For Ochoa, the loss was disappointing but provided valuable experience against high-level competition. At just 22 years old, the Peruvian has plenty of time to develop his defensive wrestling and become a more complete fighter.
Light Heavyweight: Bogdan Guskov (Moldova) def. Nikita Krylov (Ukraine) via TKO (Punches), Round 1 (4:18)
Moldovan light heavyweight Bogdan Guskov kicked off the UFC on ABC 9: Whittaker vs de Ridder main card in explosive fashion, collecting his fourth consecutive stoppage victory by putting away veteran Nikita Krylov in the opening round. The performance announced Guskov as a legitimate threat in the light heavyweight division.
Guskov, 35, came out with controlled aggression, using his technical striking to set up power shots. Krylov, 32, looked to implement his own game plan but found himself overwhelmed by the Moldovan's precision and power. The Ukrainian veteran's usually solid defense was breached repeatedly in the opening exchanges.
The end came at 4:18 of the first round when Guskov landed a series of clean punches that hurt Krylov and sent him to the canvas. The Moldovan swarmed with follow-up strikes, landing several more punches before the referee stepped in to wave off the contest. The stoppage was decisive, with Krylov clearly compromised and unable to defend effectively.
The victory extended Guskov's winning streak to four straight fights, all ending in stoppages. The Moldovan has quickly established himself as one of the division's most dangerous finishers, with his ability to find the knockout blow making him a must-watch fighter.
For Krylov, the loss was a significant setback. The Ukrainian veteran has been in the UFC since 2013 and has had an up-and-down career featuring spectacular wins and frustrating losses. This first-round stoppage raises questions about his ability to compete with the division's rising stars.
UFC on ABC 9: Whittaker vs de Ridder Prelims
Bantamweight: Bryce Mitchell (USA) def. Said Nurmagomedov (Russia) via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Arkansas native Bryce "Thug Nasty" Mitchell got himself back into the win column and made a successful bantamweight debut with a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over Said Nurmagomedov. The grappling-heavy affair saw Mitchell utilize his superior wrestling to control the action over three competitive rounds.
Mitchell, moving down from featherweight, showed that his grappling prowess translates perfectly to the bantamweight division. After a competitive first round where both men had success, Mitchell leaned heavily on his wrestling in the second frame, securing takedowns and controlling position.
The third round was crucial, with Mitchell going back to his grappling well. He advanced to Nurmagomedov's back with about a minute remaining, riding out the position to close out the contest and secure the victory on all three judges' scorecards.
The win was significant for Mitchell, who had been looking to rebound after recent setbacks. His move to bantamweight appears to be the right choice, as his grappling-heavy style is well-suited for the division's technical landscape.
Welterweight: Muslim Salikhov (Russia) def. Carlos Leal (Brazil) via KO (Punch), Round 1 (0:42)
Russian veteran Muslim "The King of Kung Fu" Salikhov delivered one of the night's most spectacular finishes, landing a walk-off knockout of Carlos "The Lion" Leal just 42 seconds into their welterweight bout. The one-punch knockout was a thing of beauty and demonstrated Salikhov's legendary striking skills.
Salikhov connected on a perfectly-timed overhand right counter that caught Leal perfectly on the button. The Brazilian crumpled to the canvas in a heap, completely unconscious before he hit the mat. The King of Kung Fu didn't even bother with follow-up strikes, instead walking away confidently as the referee rushed in.
The knockout was vintage Salikhov, showcasing the technical striking and timing that have made him a dangerous matchup for anyone at welterweight. At 40 years old, the Russian veteran proved he still has plenty left in the tank and remains a threat in the division.
Bantamweight: Davey Grant (England) def. Da'Mon Blackshear (USA) via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
English veteran Davey Grant secured a competitive unanimous decision victory over Da'Mon Blackshear in a bantamweight clash that featured back-and-forth action throughout. Grant's experience and composure proved to be the difference in the closely-contested bout.
Blackshear entered the fight on a three-fight winning streak and looked to make it four consecutive victories. The American showed his skills throughout the fight, landing quality strikes and threatening with his submission game. However, Grant's veteran savvy allowed him to edge the rounds and secure the decision.
All three judges scored the bout 29-28 in favor of Grant, who improved his record in his first appearance of 2025. The victory keeps the 38-year-old English fighter relevant in the bantamweight division.
Women's Strawweight: Tabatha Ricci (Brazil) def. Amanda Ribas (Brazil) via TKO (Punches), Round 2 (4:13)
Brazilian strawweight Tabatha Ricci returned to the win column with an impressive second-round TKO victory over compatriot Amanda Ribas. The finish was a significant bounce-back for Ricci, who had lost her previous fight to Xiaonan Yan.
The all-Brazilian matchup featured competitive action in the opening round before Ricci took over in the second. She landed a combination that hurt Ribas, then followed up with sustained ground-and-pound that forced the referee to step in at 4:13 of the round.
The victory was crucial for both fighters' careers. Ricci, at 29, re-established herself as a contender in the division, while Ribas, 31, suffered her third consecutive loss and faces an uncertain future.
UFC on ABC 9: Whittaker vs de Ridder Early Prelims
Light Heavyweight: Billy Elekana (New Zealand) def. Ibo Aslan (Turkey) via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
New Zealand light heavyweight Billy Elekana earned a unanimous decision victory over Turkey's Ibo Aslan in a competitive opening bout. All three judges scored the fight 29-28 in favor of Elekana, who used his technical striking and defensive wrestling to edge out the Turkish fighter over three rounds.
Aslan showed his characteristic toughness and power but couldn't land the fight-changing shot he needed. Elekana's game plan was executed to perfection, mixing his striking with solid takedown defense to neutralize Aslan's offense.
Featherweight: Steven Nguyen (Canada) def. Mohammad Yahya (Afghanistan) via TKO (Punches), Round 3 (2:13)
Canadian featherweight Steven Nguyen secured his first UFC victory with a third-round TKO of Mohammad Yahya in a performance that has generated some controversy. Nguyen administered a historic beatdown that saw referee Jason Herzog allow the fight to continue despite Yahya absorbing tremendous punishment.
The finish came at 2:13 of the third round after Nguyen had dominated the entire fight. Post-fight, Nguyen defended Herzog's decision not to stop the fight earlier, though many observers felt the referee should have intervened sooner to prevent unnecessary damage to Yahya.
Despite the controversy, Nguyen's victory was decisive and showcased his finishing ability. The Canadian will look to build on this momentum in his next outing.
Heavyweight: Martin Buday (Slovakia) def. Marcus "Buchecha" Almeida (Brazil) via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
In a significant upset, Slovakian heavyweight Martin Buday defeated highly-touted Brazilian jiu-jitsu legend Marcus "Buchecha" Almeida via unanimous decision. The 13th-ranked Buday spoiled Buchecha's UFC debut, using his size and striking to neutralize the grappling ace's game plan.
Buchecha, one of the most decorated BJJ competitors in history with multiple world titles and ADCC gold medals, struggled mightily to take his massive opponent to the ground. The 35-year-old converted just one of 11 takedown attempts and was reversed twice on the mat, showing that his grappling credentials haven't fully translated to MMA success.
Buday out-landed Buchecha 92-80 in total strikes and won the first and third rounds to secure the decision. All three judges scored it 29-28 for the Slovakian. The loss was Buchecha's second in three UFC fights after beginning his run with four straight victories in ONE Championship.
For Buchecha, the defeat raises serious questions about his ceiling in MMA. Despite his BJJ mastery, the heavyweight has struggled to implement his ground game against elite UFC-level opponents. At 35, his window for climbing the rankings may be closing.
Notable Stories from UFC on ABC 9: Whittaker vs de Ridder
Card Changes and Cancellations
UFC on ABC 9: Whittaker vs de Ridder underwent significant changes in the weeks leading up to the event:
Movsar Evloev Injury Withdrawal: The biggest change came when featherweight contender Movsar Evloev had to withdraw from his scheduled co-main event bout against promotional newcomer Aaron Pico due to an undisclosed injury. The bout was cancelled entirely and has been rescheduled for UFC 319 in August 2025, where Pico will face unbeaten Lerone Murphy instead.
The cancellation forced the UFC to elevate Petr Yan vs. Marcus McGhee to the co-main event position, a move that raised some eyebrows given McGhee's relatively low ranking.
All Fighters Made Weight
In a rare occurrence for a major UFC event, all 24 scheduled fighters successfully made weight for UFC on ABC 9: Whittaker vs de Ridder. This included several fighters who have had weight-cutting issues in the past, demonstrating the professionalism of the roster and perhaps the beneficial impact of the Abu Dhabi climate on weight management.
Title Shot Callouts
Several fighters used their post-fight interviews to campaign for title opportunities:
Reinier de Ridder: After his victory over Whittaker, de Ridder immediately called for a shot at the winner of Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319. However, with Nassourdine Imavov vs. Caio Borralho also on the horizon, de Ridder may need to wait his turn despite his impressive 4-0 UFC record.
Petr Yan: The former bantamweight champion called for another title shot after his win over McGhee, expressing his desire to face the winner of the upcoming championship bout. With three straight victories, Yan has positioned himself as a legitimate contender once again.
Injuries and Medical Issues
Sharabutdin Magomedov: "Shara Bullet" was hospitalized after his victory over Marc-Andre Barriault, requiring surgery to repair his broken nose. The Russian fighter gave an injury update, confirming the nose operation was successful and he expects to return to action without significant delay.
Mohammad Yahya: The Afghan featherweight absorbed tremendous punishment in his loss to Steven Nguyen, with many observers questioning why referee Jason Herzog allowed the beating to continue so long. Nguyen defended the referee post-fight, though the stoppage remains controversial.
Robert Whittaker's Future
Perhaps the most significant storyline from UFC on ABC 9: Whittaker vs de Ridder was the main event's impact on Robert Whittaker's career trajectory. The former champion had stated before the fight that he hoped to use it as a springboard for one final title run before retirement.
The split decision loss to de Ridder puts those plans in serious jeopardy. At 34 years old and now 3-4 in his last seven fights, Whittaker faces an uncertain future. In his post-fight statement, Whittaker acknowledged his frustration but remained characteristically professional about the loss.
Many in the MMA community are now speculating whether "The Reaper" will choose to retire or continue fighting. His legacy as one of the greatest middleweights in UFC history is secure, but another loss could further damage his standing in the division.
Division Implications
The results at UFC on ABC 9: Whittaker vs de Ridder have significant ramifications for multiple divisions:
Middleweight: Reinier de Ridder's victory over Whittaker establishes him as a legitimate title contender, though he'll likely need to wait for the division's hierarchy to sort itself out. The winner of Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev will likely face either Imavov or Borralho before de Ridder gets his shot.
Bantamweight: Petr Yan's continued resurgence positions him well for another title opportunity. With Sean O'Malley, Merab Dvalishvili, and Umar Nurmagomedov all in the title picture, Yan's path back to gold depends on results in upcoming title fights.
Light Heavyweight: Bogdan Guskov's fourth consecutive stoppage victory announces him as a rising threat in a division desperately in need of new contenders. His knockout power makes him an exciting addition to the rankings.
Heavyweight: Marcus Buchecha's loss to Martin Buday raises questions about his UFC future. The BJJ legend's inability to implement his grappling against UFC-level competition suggests he may have hit his ceiling in MMA.
Conclusion
UFC on ABC 9: Whittaker vs de Ridder delivered an entertaining card that featured dramatic finishes, competitive decisions, and performances that will reshape multiple divisions. Reinier de Ridder's upset victory over Robert Whittaker in the main event was the story of the night, with the Dutchman's grappling prowess proving too much for the former champion in a grueling five-round battle.
The event showcased the global nature of the UFC, with fighters from 15 different countries competing on the card. From the explosive 42-second knockout by Muslim Salikhov to the controversial beatdown delivered by Steven Nguyen, UFC Abu Dhabi provided moments that will be remembered throughout the 2025 season.
As the UFC heads toward the crucial August title fights, the performances at UFC on ABC 9: Whittaker vs de Ridder have created new contenders, derailed comeback attempts, and provided compelling storylines that will drive the promotion forward. From championship contenders to promising newcomers, the fighters at this event reminded everyone why the UFC remains the premier mixed martial arts organization in the world.