3 p.m. ET: Main Card (ABC, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes & ESPN Xtra on SiriusXM)
12 p.m. ET: Prelims (ESPN, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes & ESPN Xtra on SiriusXM)
ESPN+ Subscribers Can Enter for a Chance to Win a VIP Trip to UFC 322
UFC action travels to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates this weekend with UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. de Ridder, live from Etihad Arena, on Saturday, July 26. The main card will be available on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN Xtra on SiriusXM, beginning at 3 p.m. ET. The prelims will start at 12 p.m. on ESPN, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes & ESPN Xtra on SiriusXM.
Main Event:
- Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker (27-8) meets Reinier de Ridder (20-2) in a pivotal main event just weeks ahead of the upcoming middleweight title fight. Currently ranked No. 5, Whittaker makes his second consecutive start at Etihad Arena, aiming to rebound after his bout with Khamzat Chimaev last October. Whittaker has remained one of the toughest tests in the division with wins over Paulo Costa and Ikram Aliskerov. No. 13-ranked de Ridder enters on a surge following a dominant 2025 campaign that includes stoppage victories over Kevin Holland and Bo Nickal. The Dutch standout now looks to extend his unbeaten UFC run with his biggest win yet.
Co-Main Event:
- Bantamweights Petr Yan (18-5) and Marcus McGhee (10-1) clash in a high-stakes co-main event that could shake up the division. Yan, ranked No. 3, has bounced back from a rough stretch with strong wins over Song Yadong and Deiveson Figueiredo in 2024, reestablishing himself as a title threat. No. 13-ranked McGhee has won all four of his UFC starts to date and six straight overall and now looks to make a statement by toppling the former champion in his toughest test to date.
Win a VIP Trip to UFC 322
- ESPN+ subscribers can enter for a chance to win aVIP trip to UFC 322 in November 2025. The winner will enjoy exclusive access for them and a friend to attend the ceremonial weigh-ins the Friday before the fight, plus two tickets to the live PPV event. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. 50 US/DC, 18+. Ends 7/30/25. Visit https://espnsweepstakes.com/combat for Official Rules.
ESPN+, ESPN.com, ESPN App UFC Content: Editorial, Live and Upcoming, On Demand, Studio Shows, Archives:
- UFC Abu Dhabi: Expert picks, best bets for Whittaker vs. de Ridder
- The Ultimate Fighter
- Good Guy/Bad Guy with Daniel Cormier & Chael Sonnen
On the call:
- John Gooden will call the action alongside former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping and UFC lightweight Paul Felder. Heidi Androl will handle reporting duties.
Programming (All times ET):
| Fri. 7/25 | 10 a.m. | UFC Fight Night Pre-Show Presented by Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey: Whittaker vs. de Ridder | ESPN+ |
| 5:30 p.m. | UFC Live | ESPN2 | |
| Sat. 7/26 | 12 p.m. | UFC Fight Night Presented by Bud Light: Whittaker vs. de Ridder (Prelims) | ESPN, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Xtra on SiriusXM |
| 3 p.m. | UFC Fight Night Presented by Bud Light: Whittaker vs. de Ridder (Main Card) | ABC, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes & ESPN Xtra on SiriusXM | |
| 6 p.m.* | UFC Fight Night Post Show Presented by Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey: Whittaker vs. de Ridder | ESPN+ |
*Immediately following main event
Main Card and Prelims (All times ET):
| 3 p.m. | Main | Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder |
| Co-Main | Petr Yan vs. Marcus McGhee | |
| Undercard | Shara Magomedov vs. Marc-Andre Barriault | |
| Undercard | Asu Almabayev vs. Jose Ochoa | |
| Undercard | Nikita Krylov vs. Bogdan Guskov | |
| 12 p.m. | Feature | Bryce Mitchell vs. Said Nurmagomedov |
| Undercard | Muslim Salikhov vs. Carlos Leal | |
| Undercard | Davey Grant vs. Da’Mon Blackshear | |
| Undercard | Amanda Ribas vs. Tabatha Ricci | |
| Undercard | Ibo Aslan vs. Billy Elekana | |
| Undercard | Mohammad Yahya vs. Steven Nguyen | |
| Undercard | Martin Buday vs. Marcus Buchecha |
-30-
