Reinier de Ridder Edges Robert Whittaker in Thriller at UFC Abu Dhabi Main Event

No. 13-ranked Reinier de Ridder earned the biggest win of his UFC career Saturday night, defeating former middleweight champion and No. 5-ranked Robert Whittaker by razor-thin decision in the main event in Abu Dhabi.

In a tactical bout that saw both fighters trading momentum across five rounds, de Ridder survived a near knockdown in the third round before securing a crucial takedown and maintaining ground control. The judges ultimately sided with de Ridder’s late dominance, awarding him a statement victory on the scorecards.

“I don’t want a fight like this,” de Ridder said following the decision. “This guy was too tough. I expected to take him down and choke him out, but he was amazing in there—so durable, heavy hands. Maybe Khamzat [Chimaev] or [UFC middleweight champion] Dricus [du Plessis] next. Give me a chance to fight for that strap.”

Petr Yan Outpoints Marcus McGhee in Co-Main Event

Former bantamweight champion and current No. 3-ranked contender Petr Yan used his veteran savvy to halt the six-fight win streak of No. 13-ranked Marcus McGhee in the co-main event. Yan withstood early pressure from McGhee and turned up the volume in the final round, showcasing his championship-level experience and earning a unanimous decision win.

“My opponent was a strong guy. I’m really happy I won,” said Yan. “Everybody knows I fought Cory Sandhagen and beat him. Now, I want to fight whoever wins the title fight between Merab Dvalishvili and Sandhagen next.”

Steven Nguyen Makes History in First UFC Victory

In a breakout performance, Steven Nguyen delivered a stunning TKO win over Mohammad Yahya, earning his first Octagon victory and a Performance of the Night bonus. After surviving early adversity, Nguyen landed multiple knockdowns—breaking the UFC record for most in a single fight—and forced the referee to step in during the second round.

“It feels amazing,” Nguyen said. “I’ve been working so hard for this moment. The fight’s not over until it’s over. I wanted that finish.”

Bonus Awards