Whittaker vs. de Ridder Headlines UFC Abu Dhabi Weigh-In Drama

UFC returns to Abu Dhabi with a stacked card headlined by middleweight great Robert Whittaker and two-division ONE champion Reinier de Ridder. The weigh-ins set the tone for an event that promises fireworks inside the Octagon.

This UFC Fight Night isn’t just about the main event — it’s a showcase of international MMA talent. Big names, rising contenders, and stylistic clashes make this one of the most anticipated Abu Dhabi cards in years. From seasoned champions to hungry debutants, every bout brings its own narrative, and the official weigh-in ceremony puts that tension on full display.

Whittaker, a former middleweight king, looks sharp and focused as he squares off with De Ridder, whose grappling pedigree from ONE Championship has fans buzzing. Below the main event, Petr Yan takes on Marcus McGhee in a fight that could shake up the bantamweight rankings. There’s also the return of dangerous striker Sharaputdin Magomedov against veteran Marc-André Barriault, and fan-favorite action fights scattered across the prelims.

Here’s the full fight card for UFC Abu Dhabi — every matchup, every weigh-in faceoff, listed in order:

1. #12 Robert Whittaker vs Reinier de Ridder
2. #11 Petr Yan vs Marcus McGhee
3. #10 Sharaputdin Magomedov vs Marc-André Barriault
4. #9 Asu Almabaev vs Jose Ochoa
5. #8 Bogdan Guskov vs Nikita Krylov
6. #7 Bryce Mitchell vs Said Nurmagomedov
7. #6 Carlos Leal vs Muslim Salikhov
8. #5 Damon Blackshear vs Davey Grant
9. #4 Amanda Ribas vs Tabatha Ricci
10. #3 Billy Elekana vs Ibo Aslan
11. #2 Mohammad Yahya vs Steven Nguyen
12. #1 Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida vs Martin Buday

From the top of the card to the early prelims, UFC Abu Dhabi weigh-ins have set the stage for a night of drama, intensity, and unforgettable fights.