PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 03: Robert Whittaker of New Zealand reacts after his middleweight fight … More
On Saturday, July 26, former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker looks to turn back the surging Reinier De Ridder in the main event of the UFC Abu Dhabi fight card. We look at the betting odds, picks, and predictions for the Whittaker vs. De Ridder matchup.
The UFC Abu Dhabi main card airs on ABC following prelims on ESPN. The preliminary card for the UFC Fight Night event begins at noon ET. The main card kicks off at 3:00 p.m. ET.
UFC Abu Dhabi Main Event Preview: Robert Whittaker Vs. Renier de Ridder
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 17: Robert Whittaker of New Zealand prepares to face Paulo Costa of … More
Whittaker (26-8) is the No. 5 fighter in the official UFC middleweight rankings. Whittaker is 15-4 with the UFC since June 2014. His only losses have come to Israel Adesanya, Dricus du Plessis, and Khamzat Chimaev. Adesanya is a former UFC middleweight champ. Du Plessis is the current UFC 185-pound champion, and Chimaev is scheduled to face Du Plessis in a title fight at UFC 319 in August. In short, the 34-year-old is the gate keeper to the elite of the division.
Whittaker is coming off a nasty submission loss to Chimaev at UFC 308 in October 2024.
DES MOINES, IOWA – MAY 03: Reinier de Ridder of The Netherlands reacts after his TKO victory over Bo … More
De Ridder (20-2) has been climbing the UFC middleweight ladder since he joined the promotion after holding the ONE middleweight and light heavyweight titles. The 34-year-old is No. 13 in the UFC 185-pound division. He is 3-0 with the promotion with stoppage wins over Gerald Meerschaert, Kevin Holland and Bo Nickal. His win over Nickal was his most recent victory, coming in May of this year.
Robert Whittaker Vs. Reinier de Ridder Opening Odds And Betting Line Movement
When BetOnline first published the betting line for the UFC Abu Dhabi 2025 main event, Whittaker was listed as the -190 betting favorite over the +165 De Ridder. Those odds have shifted slightly. Today, Whittaker is listed at -150, while De Ridder is a +130 betting underdog.
UFC Abu Dhabi Main Event Tale Of The Tape: Robert Whittaker Vs. Reinier de Ridder
Robert Whittaker
Age: 34
Height: 6’0”
Reach: 73”
Stance: Orthodox
Reinier de Ridder
Age: 34
Height: 6’4”
Reach: 78”
Stance: Southpaw
UFC Abu Dhabi Main Event Predictions And Picks: Robert Whittaker Vs. Reinier de Ridder
There are a couple of burning questions about this fight to ponder before making a pick. Has a career of facing the best of the best at middleweight caught up with Robert Whittaker leading to a decline in his skills? Is Reinier de Ridder ready to face someone as well-rounded as Robert Whittaker?
We won’t know the answers to those questions until after Saturday’s fight. What we do know is that Whittaker is one of the best middleweight fighters in the history of the UFC and that he is the more well-rounded fighter in this matchup.
The betting pick is Whittaker to beat De Ridder via decision.
We will have more on the UFC Abu Dhabi fight card as fight night nears.