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UFC Fight Night Preview: Whittaker vs de Ridder Odds, Tips and Predictions

UFC Fight Night Preview: Whittaker vs de Ridder Odds, Tips and Predictions Date: Saturday, 26 July 2025 Time: 3:00 PM GST (12:00 PM BST) Venue: Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Broadcaster: ABC (US), TNT Sports or ESPN+ (UK, subject to regional listing) SportsBoom previews the eagerly awaited MMA showdown between Robert Whittaker and Reinier de Ridder at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, 26 July 2025. As fight night approaches, excitement is rising and the odds are shifting. For those looking for the best MMA betting options, check out MMA sports betting for expert tips and betting sites.

Joshua Gaillard
J.G.

Last updated: 2025-07-22

Chad Nagel

5 minutes read

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Robert Whittaker of New Zealand reacts after his victory

Robert Whittaker/Getty Images

The Final Chapter: Whittaker’s Test, de Ridder’s Rise

UFC Fight Night touches down in Abu Dhabi with Robert “The Reaper” Whittaker out to prove he is still a problem, and Reinier “The Dutch Knight” de Ridder hoping to backpack his way into a title shot. It is striker vs grappler on paper, but Whittaker’s movement and de Ridder’s human-anaconda tendencies should make things far more complicated.
Beyond the headliner, Movsar Evloev looks set to wrestle someone into another existential crisis, Petr Yan is back to test if the judges still hate him, and Shara Magomedov will probably throw something spinning at someone’s skull. From positional warfare to potential walk-offs, this main card has the full range of chaos.

Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability: Reaper Slight Favourite

  1. Robert Whittaker: 4/5 (1.80) – 55.6%

  2. Reinier de Ridder: 11/10 (2.10) – 47.6%
    Odds courtesy of Stake, subject to change.

On paper, Whittaker has all the tools, veteran IQ, crisp striking, and a habit of bouncing back like nothing happened. But De Ridder? He’s taller, longer, and grips like industrial-grade duct tape. Whittaker has danced with killers, but if he ends up on the mat, he might be stuck in a chess match.
The lines point to a razor-close affair, with Whittaker’s experience giving him the slight edge. Still, De Ridder brings value for anyone backing submission-heavy chaos. If you’re exploring other events too, browse our sports betting online section for broader odds and advice. 

Tale of the Tape

Attribute Robert WhittakerReinier de Ridder
Age 3434
Height 6’0” (183 cm)6’4” (193 cm)
Weight 185 lbs (84 kg)185 lbs (84 kg)
Reach 73.5” (187 cm)78.0” (198 cm)
Record 26-8-020-2-0
KO/TKO 10 wins (38%)4 wins (20%)
Submission 5 wins (19%)14 wins (70%)
Decisions 11 wins (42%)2 wins (10%)
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Robert Whittaker News

Robert Whittaker remains a staple at the top of the middleweight division, known for his technical precision and calculated aggression. After a tough submission loss to Khamzat Chimaev, he bounced back emphatically by stopping Ikram Aliskerov in under two minutes. The Aussie still trains out of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Smeaton Grange and looks as sharp as ever.

His ability to blend quick footwork with powerful counterpunches and elite takedown defence keeps him in contention. Whittaker’s experience, cage awareness, and composure under pressure give him an edge against many stylistic matchups. Against de Ridder, expect him to circle away from clinch attempts, snipe at range, and gradually pile up scoring moments en route to a decision win.

Reinier de Ridder News

Reinier de Ridder came over from ONE Championship like a man on a mission, and apparently, the UFC forgot to tell him he wasn’t supposed to dominate so easily. Three fights in, three finishes. First, he folded Kevin Holland like a beach chair. Then he knocked out Bo Nickal, which wasn’t part of the script.
With a 70% submission rate, de Ridder doesn’t need flash. He needs a takedown, top position, and about 45 seconds of your poor life decisions. His striking? Still a bit of an adventure. But he’s getting more comfortable and he doesn’t panic when he gets hit, which is helpful when your entire game plan involves walking into punches to grab a leg.

Against Whittaker, de Ridder’s success depends on timing his entries before the Aussie picks him apart with angles. If he gets it to the ground early, he’s in his element. If not, it could be a long night of eating jabs and moral victories.

Suggested Bets

  1. Petr Yan vs Marcus McGhee – Over 2.5 Rounds: Yan’s measured style meets McGhee’s toughness. This one’s built to go long. 4/5 (1.80) – 55.6% with 1Win

  2. Fight Goes the Distance (Yes): Rob’s tough to put away. Reinier might stall rather than fade. 10/11 (1.90) – 52.6% with Betway

  3. Evloev to Win by Decision: Expect technical dominance and control, not carnage. 11/10 (2.10) – 47.6% with Betandyou

Value Bets

  1. De Ridder to Win in Round 1: If he gets top control early, this could end quickly. 5/1 (6.00) – 16.7% with Stake

  2. Petr Yan to Win in Round 3: Volume, pressure, attrition, this is when he shines. 6/1 (7.00) – 14.3% with 1xBet

  3. Shara Magomedov to Win by KO/TKO: Freakish speed and violence. One clean shot is all it takes. 7/5 (2.40) – 41.7% with Pinnacle

Prediction: Other fights to note

  • Petr Yan vs Marcus McGhee: Yan doesn’t play with his food systematically chopping it to pieces. McGhee is tough, but this might be one of those “learn from the loss” situations.
  • Shara Magomedov vs Marc-Andre Barriault: One guy moves like a video game glitch. The other walks through walls. If Shara’s gas tank behaves, this ends early and violently.
  • Bryce Mitchell vs Said Nurmagomedov: Country boy wrestling versus clinical Dagestani precision. Said doesn’t say much, he just chokes people. Grappling chaos incoming.
  • Nikita Krylov vs Bogdan Guskov: Krylov brings kicks, pace, and occasional logic. Guskov brings chaos and horsepower. It could be a split decision, or it could be over in 90 seconds.
  • Asu Almabayev vs Jose Ochoa: Almabayev is a chain wrestler’s dream, and Ochoa fights like his controller’s stuck on forward. We’re in for a wild fifteen if this avoids the mat.

Prediction: Robert Whittaker by Decision

Whittaker has seen every style in the book and tends to adjust by round two. De Ridder’s best chance is in the first five minutes, but if Rob stays upright and avoids the mat, he’ll pick apart the Dutchman with movement and timing. Expect Whittaker to mix in kicks, avoid tie-ups, and cruise to a smart decision. For those watching the markets closely might even spot a sign up bonus worth taking into the final round.

Joshua Gaillard
Joshua Gaillard Sports Writer

Joshua Gaillard is a freelance editor and dedicated Arsenal fan, known for creating fact-based, insightful content. His work, featured on top South African websites, blends analysis with engaging storytelling for clear, impactful articles.

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