Sooo … about last night

Last night (Sat., 26 July 2025), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) ventured to Etihad Arena in the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, for UFC Abu Dhabi. In general there is a bit of an unofficial level system for UFC “Fight Night” events and their relative quality. Events in the top are generally lacking in star power and ranked athletes, although there is always the chance that the next Ilia Topuria will debut somewhere on the Undercard. A show with a live crowd somewhere in the US will usually bring some extra fan favorites and a few relevant talents, while an Asian event that is broadcast at 3 o’clock will be filled with local talent and little else. Finally, when the UFC goes to the Middle East, we are free with a damn almost PPV-worthy card!

That was the case last night, because UFC Abu Dhabi was debatable a richer card than UFC 318 (apart from the main event). Let’s look at the best versions and techniques of the evening:

RDR survives the Reaper

Reinier de Ridder spent the first seven minutes with his first UFC head event that was spent around. Robert Whittaker was much faster and much sharper than him, with relatively convenience he struck Takedowns and Clinches. His speed and angular kickboxing could be seen, while he repeatedly jumped in reach, “RDR”, and then pulled in safety.

The left knee changed the game. De Ridder found his timing with his stepping knee to the body, and it seemed to be beating the whole life of Whittaker. After halfway through the round two, he had landed a few in succession, he was suddenly at the top and left the former champion away. For the rest of the fight, Whittaker never completely restored the snap in his punches that had previously stranded the knight remotely.

Instead, the two fought back and forth. Whittaker did his best to earn back and explode his energy, and occasionally he connected himself with a sharp shot. He couldn’t even finish his movement more often. On the other hand, De Ridder never stopped working. His uncomfortable Jabs were slow from the start, but their speed remained consistent. He landed more and more as the fight progressed and his debilitating clinch work was also effective.

The final decision was Razor Close, but De Ridder earns his props for finding a way to level the playing field and to score the biggest victory of his UFC career.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Yan turns away Mcghee

Marcus Mcghee is a good hunter. He proved so much here, threw punches in Petr Yan and presented the former champion with a number of interesting questions. He even smelled a few times with straight punches.

Unfortunately “no grace” was just sharper and more experienced. His high guard destroyed much of the activity of Mcghee, and he found his openings when Mcghee withdrew from fairs. Time and again he would crack Mcghee while the American went back and clearly landed the heaviest strokes. He then surpasses Mcghee in the third to strengthen the victory and clearly separate himself from the rising talent.

It was not the most exciting victory of Yan’s career, but it would still have to position him well for the next title shot.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

The King of Kung Fu!

Muslim Salikhov still has it at the age of 41.

Carlos Leal is an intimidating good weight that should have entered this attack in the Octagon. He has gigantic trapezius muscles, 11 knock -out wins on his record and zero fear of the violation of his opponent. He immediately pressed the older striker, stepped into the face of the kicker and tried to impose his will. Instead, Salikhov cracked him in just 45 seconds with a perfect upper trade, senting Leal Face-First to the floor for an amazing Walk-off Ko.

The Wushu Sanda Ace has now won three immediately after he became the first man who stops Leal with strikes. He is no longer at his best, but it is clear that Salikhov is still a very dangerous member of the 170 pound selection.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Timeless Davey Grant

Davey Grant is great. He found his UFC career again in 2021 at the age of 35. Finally healthy enough to fight several times a year, Grant went from somewhat one-note grappler to all-action slugger and the results were immediately. He became a must-watch hunter and started getting the best victories of his career!

The problem with a Renaissance in the late career is that there is not much time to capitalize. Or, at least, that should not be. Now 39 years old, Grant is still fighting at his best. Opposite Da’mon Blackshear-a great physical talent that ends the early storm on a three-field win-streak and then continued to be offensive with his characteristic large shuffling combinations. He punished the lead bone poorly, tore the middle section and tried to set up Blackshear’s head on the way to an entertaining unanimous decision gain.

It is really a shame that the judges Grant robbed Daniel Marcos a few years ago. Without that accident, the older Englishman would ride on a five-field profit track! He may not have a number next to his name and will probably be forced to keep fighting, but never forget that “dangerous” Davey Grant is a damn good bantam weight due to statistics.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Hoek of the year!

The corner of Tabatha Ricci earned their 10%last night.

The competition versus Amanda Ribas did not go very well for ‘Baby Shark’. She is used to a major disadvantage, but Ricci is not used to combating a colleague -judo -black belt that is also much bigger! She could not let her struggle start at all, so that she was remotely hit or stuck in the conflict, which reached little.

Between rounds one and two, Ricci’s corner begged her to throw upward elbows to set up the shot. After all, she could check in the conflict even if the progress position did not happen. Ricci responded well to their advice and the first elbow that she clearly upset Riba’s.

Ricci felt the opening and doubled and threw more of those sloping elbows. The latter landed directly in the eye of the whisper and sent riba’s crumbled to the canvas in pain. Ricci swarmed and took care of the second TKO victory of her entire professional career!

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Additional thoughts

• Bogdan Guskov defeat Nikita Krylov Via the first round knockout (Highlights): The striking defense of Krylov is so bad. Just a few months after he got flat by Dominick Reyes, “Miner” tried to adjust by not running in counters. Instead, he followed Guskov and hit him. The problem with this new patience is that his defense is still bad! He gave Guskov enough time to put his favorite weapon, the right right hand, a row. Guskov squatted Krylov halfway through the kick and sent him badly injured. Krylov then tried to resist the barrage by … attacking a straight single slot?!? It didn’t work so well, so he remained in a terrible position to defend himself. Why didn’t this man even try to struggle the knockout? Bustful things.
• Steven Nguyen defeat Mohammad Yahya Via the second round Doctor Stoppage: It is never a great evening at the office when the UFC commentary crew repeatedly talks about your grit and heart. Local favorite (but Betting Underdog) Yahya was absolutely broken here, fell through a large right hand in the first 10 seconds and could never work back in Vecht. Nguyen pulled him on his way to a debatable 10-7 opening round with dozens and dozens of punches. There was a short spark of hope when Yahya landed a nice shot from his own round two, but the attack was resumed a little later, standing and on the floor. Fortunately, the doctor intervened between rounds two and three, which prevented Yahya’s grotesque broken orbital from becoming more serious.

Click for full UFC ABU DHABI results and Play-by-Play here.