UFC Abu Dhabi: Expert Picks
UFC returns to the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi this Saturday, July 26, with a compelling fight card headlined by former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker taking on former ONE double-champ Reinier de Ridder. This clash features contrasting skill sets: Whittaker’s crisp striking and movement will be tested against de Ridder’s imposing grappling and submission prowess. Both fighters bring championship pedigree and hungry motivation, with Whittaker seeking to reassert himself among the division’s elite, while de Ridder looks to make an emphatic statement in his continued transition to UFC competition.
The main card is packed with high-stakes matchups, including a bantamweight clash between former champion Petr Yan and surging contender Marcus McGhee, as well as the striking showcase of Shara Magomedov against Marc-Andre Barriault at middleweight. Flyweight standout Asu Almabayev faces Jose Ochoa, rounding out a main card that should deliver both groundbreaking debuts and pivotal moments for established names.
Among other storylines, Amanda Ribas and Tabatha Ricci look to climb the strawweight ranks after their matchup was rescheduled to this event. Rising contenders and fan favorites across several divisions ensure that Abu Dhabi remains a key stage for championship implications and thrilling action. Expect a night where every bout could reshape title pictures and solidify Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a major fight destination.
Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder
- HayJive – Reinier de Ridder
“Whittaker has a real shot to knockout De Ridder on the feet. However, I think this is a tough matchup for Whittaker who struggles when he is going up against a big physical fighter with great grappling. Give me De Ridder.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Robert Whittaker
“I love RDR but this is a step up, and if Whittaker is on he should have the movement and striking to make it tough on RDR to close the distance here.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Reinier de Ridder
“I hate this fight as it does remind me of the Whittaker x DDP matchup. Whittaker does exceptionally well against fighters that fight normally, in the sense they are well and technically trained. De Ridder has an unorthodox rhythm, crazed strength and I do believe he will get Whittaker on the ground in multiple instances with one getting him ground and pounded by DeRidder when attempting to defend the neck.”
- Corrie – Robert Whittaker
“This fight feels like a trap because you’re getting a buy-low spot on Whittaker at a short number, but Reinier de Ridder has the exact kind of skill set that’s historically given Rob problems: size, pressure, and elite grappling. That said, Rob is nearly impossible to control on the mat unless you’re a generational wrestler, and even then, prime Yoel, struggled to keep him down. RDR’s striking has improved, but it’s still awkward so I’ll side with the favorite here for now, but in all honestly might switch up and go RDR by the end of the week.”
- The Fight Analyst – Robert Whittaker
“Whittaker is still the elite in the division and this line is only close because of what RDR did against Bo Nickal who we’ve seen isn’t near elite yet in his young UFC career. As long as Whittaker can fend off the takedowns, get back to his feet if taken down, and not gas out he should be the one with the big moment with finishing abilities as he gets back on track this weekend in Abu Dhabi.”
Petr Yan vs. Marcus McGhee
- HayJive – Petr Yan
“Don’t fully count out McGhee here, I think he can have some early success on the feet. But Once Yan gets in his groove, I think there will be levels to it. Give me Yan.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Petr Yan
“This fight will be way closer than we think, but Yan should use his leg kicks and experience I battle out the fight on the feet and pick up another win.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Petr Yan
“I was tempted for a sprinkle on R3 but I do believe McGhee is tough. He did struggle with the leg kicks of Martinez but passed the test. I do believe McGhee is Top 10 material, though the skill-gap is in fact quite huge. I do believe that there is the ability of landing something big on Yan that could hurt him, though over three rounds, I can see the volume being too overwhelming to get McGhee started.”
- Corrie – Marcus McGhee
“Yan’s the more proven guy with the deeper resume, but he fights close EVERY. SINGLE. TIME!!! He’ll hand you round 1, turn it up in 2, then take the later rounds and in a 3-rounder against McGhee’s volume and forward pressure, it makes Yan at -375 a tough sell for me.This is also Marcus’s, like, one chance to get into that upper level and into the contender circle and I think he and his team knows that so as much as I love Yan, I have to say dog or pass here… The safe play would probably be McGhee point spread at + money.”
- The Fight Analyst – Petr Yan
“This is certainly not the most logical step up in competition for McGhee as Yan is by far the most experienced and most battle tested fighter McGhee has faced in his young UFC career. Going from the likes of Jonathan Martinez, Gaston Bolanos, JP Buys, and Journey Newson to Petr Yan it will be evident the difference in skill level. McGhee will start off hot and win round 1 but in Yan fashion he picks it up in rounds 2 and 3 and gets the dominant victory and extend his winning streak to 3 in a row.”
Shara Magomedov vs. Marc-Andre Barriault
- HayJive – Shara Magomedov
“Barriault has a path to victory, but I fear it will come at the expense of Shara allowing him to do so. Shara should be the favorite here, and I think he gets it done with his speed and footwork.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Shara Magomedov
“The UFC might be looking to get Shara back to the win column here, as he will be faster, more explosive, and have a better chance of finishing this one.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Shara Magomedov
“While both men had insanely different last performances, they are at different places in their careers. Magomedov is a dangerous striker with some boxing and wrestling deficiencies, but with the bottom tier of the middleweight division, there really isn’t much debate. Considering Barriault has been finished a lot as of recently, it is another opportunity for Magomeodv to show up.”
- Corrie – Shara Magomedov
“We’ll give the edge to Shara, but at -600 there’s nothing playable… Especially when Marc-Andre’s pressure-heavy, clinch-first style could turn this into a gritty, close fight. I’d rather take the +3.5 point spread on Marc-Andre since he doesn’t give clean looks, loves to smother, and could easily make this ugly enough to win a round or two.”
- The Fight Analyst – Shara Magomedov
“This is a relatively easy fight for Magomedov as long as he keeps this fight at distance. While MAB certainly has the grappling chops to make this a tough fight, it’s just hard to believe he’s going to be successful in doing so. Magomedov goes in there outstrikes MAB in fron of his home crowd and gets back into the win column.”
Marcel Dorff | X
Asu Almabayev vs. Jose Ochoa
- HayJive – Jose Ochoa
“Barriault has a path to victory, but I fear it will come at the expense of Shara allowing him to do so. Shara should be the favorite here, and I think he gets it done with his speed and footwork.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Asu Almabayev
“Asu is coming off fighting Manel Kape, to a young Jose Ochoa. I believe in Asu’s wrestling and for it to he effective in this fight.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Jose Ochoa
“Bold play, but it’s worth for the value. Almbayev had an awful performance against Kape, who does have great TDD, but we’ve seen do worse against decent wrestlers. Almabayev won’t be able to control all three rounds with Ochoa, who has the ability of causing true damage.”
- Corrie – Asu Almabayev
“I’m riding with Asu because I think his relentless grappling and top control will be too much for Ochoa, who already gave up takedowns and control time to a less dominant wrestler like Durden. Asu ALSO had a full camp this time which he didn’t against Kape, and unless Jose (coming in on short notice) lands something big early, I see Asu grinding him down and smothering his offense for three rounds or even locking up a sub.”
- The Fight Analyst – Asu Almabayev
“This is a buy low spot on Almabayev who’s got a massive experience advantage as well as the grappling advantage. Ochoa isn’t the only tall, long, and lanky striker he’s faced in his career as he’s taken on the likes of Ode Osbourne and Jose Johnson who are two of the taller and faster strikers at 125 lbs. As long as Almabayev doesn’t get caught in an exchange, I thoroughly expect him to dominate Ochoa on the mat to get back into the win column.”
Marcel Dorff | X
Nikita Krylov vs. Bogdan Guskov
- HayJive – Nikita Krylov
“I don’t have a strong take on this, but I will take Krylov to get it done due to the grappling upside, experience gap, and cardio.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Bogdan Guskov
“Krylov is coming off a bad KO loss just a few months ago. Guskov is a heavy hitter and should have his chances to end the fight. I like the dog money.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Bogdan Guskov
“Krylov’s long-layoff followed by the disastrous performance against Reyes to know fighting a dangerous Guskov is a recipe for disaster. Momentum means everything in this sport, and this is a beautiful clash for Guskov’s favor.”
- Corrie – Bogdan Guskov
“I’m picking Guskov here mostly because I think Krylov is way too hittable and overextends on everything.. Watching the Reyes fight back, he was rocked by a jab… Guskov has that same type of power if he finds the chin and can be really aggressive and sure Krylov’s got more tools on paper, but his defense is full of holes and he doesn’t pace himself well, he had a two year layoff due to shoulder surgery before 314 and if Guskov pressures early, I think he clips him and finishes.”
- The Fight Analyst – Bogdan Guskov
“It was evident that Krylov wasn’t the same fighter after coming off the long layoff against Reyes. He is now back just three months later after getting brutally knocked out and gets to take on another heavy hitter in Guskov. As long as Guskov doesn’t get subbed, expect him to land something heavy on Krylov getting him out of there to extend his winning streak to four in a row and getting the biggest win of his UFC career.”
Photo | UFC YouTube
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