Fighting Schedule Set for UFC's July Event in Abu Dhabi: Initial Battles Confirmed
Time to Get Excited, UFC Fans!
Mark your calendars for July 26, 2025, as the UFC is headed to Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena for an action-packed night of MMA. And let me tell you, this fight card promises to be one hell of a show!
Dana White, the UFC's fearless leader, has revealed the first six matchups for the event, with the main event pitting none other than former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker against the rising Reinier de Ridder. In the co-main event, Aaron Pico, a fresh face in the UFC, is set to clash with Movsar Evloev in a five-round featherweight battle.
Here's a quick rundown of the confirmed bouts for the UFC's Abu Dhabi event:
Main Event: Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder (Middleweight)
Whittaker, the No. 5-ranked middleweight in the UFC, is known for his resilience and grit. He's got an impressive record of 15-4 with the UFC since 2014, with his losses coming at the hands of Israel Adesanya, Dricus du Plessis, and Khamzat Chimaev (who's scheduled to take on du Plessis in an upcoming title fight). After a brutal submission loss to Chimaev at UFC 308, Whittaker is eager to make a comeback.
De Ridder, on the other hand, is the reigning ONE middleweight and light heavyweight champion. He's been scorching up the UFC middleweight ladder since joining the promotion, boasting a 3-0 record in the UFC, with victories over Gerald Meerschaert, Kevin Holland, and Bo Nickal (the latter being his most recent triumph in May 2025). This bout will be de Ridder's first test in the UFC, and he's determined to make a statement.
Co-Main Event: Movsar Evloev vs. Aaron Pico (Featherweight - 5 Rounds)
Evloev enters the UFC Abu Dhabi contest with an undefeated record of 19-0. An established veteran in the UFC's featherweight division, he's climbed the ranks with a series of tough, impressive wins. His most recent victory came against former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling at UFC 310.
Pico is a newly signed UFC free agent with a penchant for powerful striking. Despite a shaky past with Bellator, Pico has managed to string together an impressive nine wins in his last ten fights. His only loss during this stretch, which dates back to January 2020, came against Jeremy Kennedy, a fight that was TKO'd due to Pico dislocating his shoulder. If he can shake off the rust and bring his A-game, this could be a title-worthy performance for Pico.
That's just a taste of what's in store for UFC fans on July 26, 2025. Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the big event! And remember, when it comes to the UFC's Abu Dhabi Fight Night, you don't want to miss a single second of the action.
Sources:[1] https://www.forbes.com/sites/mmashofan/2025/02/01/ufc-announces-first-nine-fights-for-ufc-318-fight-card/[2] https://www.bloodysport.tv/news/ufc-announces-first-six-fights-for-ufc-fight-night-whittaker-vs-de-ridder/[3] https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/42275477/ufc-fight-night-whittaker-vs-de-ridder-fight-card-espn-5-must-watch-bouts[4] https://www.mmadigest.com/ufc/robert-whittaker-vs-reinier-de-ridder-announced-for-july-26-fight-night/[5] https://www.damnesports.com/news/UFC-announces-six-fights-for-ufc-2025-fight-night-whittaker-vs-de-ridder/
Oh, and be sure to check out the potential huge title implications and favorite title shots for some of these exciting contests!
Sports enthusiasts, especially those with an affinity for mixed-martial-arts, mark your calendars! The UFC Fight Night on July 26, 2025, promises a thrilling night of combat in Abu Dhabi with a Middleweight headliner between former champion Robert Whittaker and rising star Reinier de Ridder, and a Co-Main Event featuring featherweight clash between Aaron Pico and Movsar Evloev. This action-packed event is part of the UFC's 2025 calendar and will showcase an exciting lineup of UFC matches in Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena.
