UFC Abu Dhabi is headlined by Whittaker vs. de Ridder on Saturday, July 26, as the card will air live from the United Arab Emirates on ABC, with the main card set to start at 3 p.m. ET.
Click here to go directly to our UFC Abu Dhabi: Whittaker vs. de Ridder predictions below, including PrizePicks UFC picks for Saturday’s UFC on ABC main card.
UFC Championship contenders and rising stars will battle it out in fights with massive ranking implications; and regional talents will look to make a name for themselves, headlined by a middleweight bout between Robert Whittaker (27-8) vs. Reinier de Ridder (20-2).
With two former champions — Whittaker and Petr Yan — defending their ranked spot from rising contenders, along with a plethora of local talent trying to stake a claim in their divisions, UFC Abu Dhabi tonight is filled with banger matchups on ABC.
Amongst these quality fights is the main event, expected to start at 5 p.m. ET. Robert Whittaker, former champion and one of the greatest fighters to ever grace the Middleweight division, will take on the incredibly dangerous Reinier de Ridder in one of the most interesting stylistic matchups the UFC has to offer.
Co-headlining UFC on ABC is former title holder Petr Yan (18-5), who will face Marcus McGhee (10-1) in a fight that could shake up the Bantamweight division.
We'll break down who’s fighting in UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. de Ridder, including predictions and PrizePicks UFC picks for every main card fight.
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UFC Abu Dhabi Predictions & Start Times: Whittaker vs. de Ridder
The UFC on ABC Whittaker vs. de Ridder main card is set to start at 3 p.m. ET live from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with Whittaker vs. de Ridder expected to start around 5 p.m. ET, July 26, depending on when the other fights end.
UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. de Ridder projections below are via the PrizePicks MMA board. Find significant strikes, fight time, and fantasy score projections on PrizePicks.
Here’s the UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. de Ridder main card schedule, start times, and projections, in reverse order.
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Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder – Main Event
- Middleweight
- Expected start time: 5 p.m. ET
- Whittaker Projections: 52.5 Significant Strikes, 56.55 Fantasy Score, 19.5 Rd 1 Significant Strikes
- de Ridder Projections: 41.5 Significant Strikes, 13.5 Rd 1 Significant Strikes
- Significant Strikes (Combo): 92.5 Significant Strikes
- Fight Time Projection: 13.25 Minutes
- Whittaker vs. de Ridder Prediction
Petr Yan vs. Marcus McGhee - Co-Main Event
- Bantamweight
- Expected start time: 4:30 p.m. ET
- Yan Projections: 79.5 Significant Strikes, 24.5 Rd 1 Significant Strikes, 61.55 Fantasy Score, 1.5 Takedowns
- McGhee Projections: 66.5 Significant Strikes, 22.5 Rd 1 Significant Strikes
- Significant Strikes (Combo): 145.5
- Yan vs. McGhee Prediction
Shara Magomedov vs. Marc-Andre Barriault
- Middleweight
- Expected start time: 4:00 p.m. ET
- Magomedov Projections: 64.5 Significant Strikes, 70.55 Fantasy Score
- Barriault Projections: 42.5 Significant Strikes, 0.5 Takedowns
- Significant Strikes (Combo): 106.5
- Fight Time Projection: 10 Minutes
- Magomedov vs. Barriault Prediction
Asu Almabayev vs. Jose Ochoa
- Flyweight
- Expected start time: 3:30 p.m. ET
- Almabayev Projections: 36.5 Significant Strikes, 13.5 Rd 1 Significant Strikes, 46.55 Fantasy Score, 3 Takedowns
- Ochoa Projections: 41.5 Significant Strikes, 14.5 Rd 1 Significant Strikes
- Significant Strikes (Combo): 78.5
- Almabayev vs. Ochoa Prediction
Nikita Krylov vs. Bogdan Guskov
- Light Heavyweight
- Expected start time: 3 p.m. ET
- Krylov Projections: 21.5 Significant Strikes, 63.55 Fantasy Score, 2 Takedowns
- Guskov Projections: 15.5 Significant Strikes
- Significant Strikes (Combo): 39.5
- Fight Time Projection: 5.5 Minutes
- Krylov vs. Bogdan Prediction
Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder Prediction, Preview
Former UFC champion Robert Whittaker (27-8) has defended his spot at the top of the Middleweight division since his arrival in 2014. However, in recent years, Whittaker has struggled to remain in the title conversation with brutal losses to both Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev.
A win against an incredibly dangerous challenger in Reinier de Ridder could be exactly what he needs to propel him back into title conversations. Whittaker's grappling and striking can be equally devastating, and he will need to be ready to showcase both if he wants to get a win on Saturday.
Reinier de Ridder (20-2) has looked unstoppable since his UFC debut, with three finishes in three fights. Those include a first-round win against Kevin Holland, and a second round stoppage of the once-undefeated Bo Nickal.
As for his potential, the sky is the limit for de Ridder, who has been drawing comparisons to the current champion, Dricus Du Plessis. de Ridder has some of the best submission grappling in the UFC, and with a win over Whittaker, he could be well on his way to challenging for the belt.
Whittaker vs. de Ridder Prediction: Fight Time 13.25 Minutes
- de Ridder has not gone to a decision in the UFC
- Whittaker’s last 3 fights have not gone the distance
- Whittaker has an average fight time of 13:07
- de Ridder has a 90% Finish Rate
Petr Yan vs. Marcus McGhee Prediction, Preview
Petr Yan (18-5) returned to his winning ways in 2024, with two much-needed wins after a three-fight loss streak following his disqualification loss to Aljamain Sterling in 2021. Outside of this loss streak, Yan has looked like one of the greatest Bantamweights to ever grace the octagon.
A win here could earn Yan a title shot and perhaps restore his name as the best Bantamweight in the world.
Yan will need to put on a show this Saturday, and with his elite boxing, he could do just that — and many UFC fans will expect the Russian to do just that.
On the other side of the octagon, Marcus McGhee (10-1) is a unique prospect. Sitting at a frightening 10-1, he’s a prospect who has earned a matchup with Yan in just his fifth UFC fight — proving that there is immense talent.
With three finishes in his four UFC fights, McGhee is definitely a dangerous contender. However, at 35 years old, his window to contend in the Bantamweight division may be closing. McGhee will need to make his run now, or time may start to run out for the elite kickboxer.
Yan vs. McGhee Prediction: Significant Strikes (Combo) – 145.5
- Petr Yan’s average fight time is 17:17
- McGhee’s last fight went to decision.
- Yan lands 5.11 Significant Strikes per minute
- McGhee landed 102 Significant Strikes in his last bout
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Shara Magomedov vs. Marc-Andre Barriault Prediction, Preview
Fan favorite Shara “Bullet” Magomedov (15-1) is making yet another appearance in Abu Dhabi. Coming off his first UFC loss, Bullet will be looking to make a statement win to resume his ascension through the Middleweight ranks.
For the first time in his career, the Bullet looked like he had been figured out in his matchup against MVP; however, a return to a more “normal” style of competition may be just what Shara needs to get a signature win on Saturday.
Marc Andre-Barriault (17-9) is 1-3 in his last four fights, but this could partially be attributed to his willingness to fight anyone. Regardless, Barriault will need a win to remain in any conversation regarding the future of Middleweight.
Barriault is fresh off a first-round knockout statement victory and will need to carry that momentum forward if he wants to stop the Bullet.
Magomedov vs. Barriault Prediction: Fight Time 10 Minutes
- Magomedov has won two of his five UFC fights by knockout
- Magomedov has 12 of his 15 career wins by knockout
- Barriault’s last three fights have ended in a finish
- Barriault has a 71% finish rate
Asu Almabayev vs. Jose Ochoa Prediction, Preview
Asu Almabayev (21-3) may be one of the most slept on contenders in the UFC. With a 4-0 start in the UFC — which was only halted by Manel Kape — Almabayev has all the tools to contend at the top of the Flyweight division.
Despite several wins in the UFC, only one has come by finish. A finish on Saturday could be crucial for Almabayev’s rank, and his recognition amongst UFC fans.
In contrast to Almabayev, Jose Ochoa (8-1, 1NC) is a young and less experienced fighter, but a prolific finisher. With a 100% finish rate, Ochoa guarantees entertainment. 8-1 overall but 1-1 in the UFC, a win here would set Ochoa up for success, and could even earn him a rank next to his name in the Flyweight division.
Almabayev vs. Ochoa Prediction: Alambayev 3 Takedowns
- Ochoa has 67% Takedown Defense
- Almabayev has 43% Takedown Accuracy
- Almabayev lands 4.13 Takedowns per 15 minutes
Nikita Krylov vs. Bogdan Guskov Prediction, Preview
Long-time UFC vet Nikita Krylov (30-10) is one of the most underrecognized finishers in UFC History. He is 30-10 throughout his career, and still only 10 of his fights have made it out of the first round. Krylov has 23 finishes in the first round, and nine of his wins were in less than a minute.
Krylov gets it done, and he can get his wins fast. 3-1 in his last four, Krylov may be making a push towards title shot conversations. A win here could spell a top-five matchup for the UFC vet.
While very few fighters can hold up to Krylov's impressive finishing resume, Bogdan Guskov (17-3) is among the names that can. 17 wins and an equal 17 finishes — 12 of which came in the first round — prove that Guskov may be just as dangerous as his opponent.
While less experienced, a win here could prove that Guskov has tools that trump experience — just he needs to become a top-ranked contender in the Light Heavyweight division.
Krylov vs. Guskov Prediction: Fight Time 5.5 Minutes
- Krylov has 23 Round 1 finishes in 40 fights
- Bogdan has gone to decision only once in 20 fights
- Bogdan has 12 Round 1 finishes in 20 fights.
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UFC Abu Dhabi: Whittaker vs. de Ridder is set to be a card of UFC top-ranked fighters, regional talent and high-level matchups that can shake up several divisions. The main card will start around 3 p.m. ET on ABC, live from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Before UFC Abu Dhabi gets underway on Saturday afternoon with a loaded main card, be sure you’ve locked in your UFC Predictions on PrizePicks — it’s the easiest way to get real money action on UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. De Ridder.
From Robert Whittaker and Petr Yan, to Reinier De Ridder and Marcus McGhee, the old guard will look to defend their position at the top of the division against rising talent. Throughout the rest of the card both international and regional talent will be put on display.
For the ninth UFC on ABC card, the UFC will bring the heat, live from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Head to the PrizePicks app, pick More or Less on two or more fighters, lock in your picks, and get ready for the sweat to win real money during UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. De Ridder.
