The UFC made its return to Abu Dhabi for UFC on ABC 9, held at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, marking the first of two 2025 events in the city. The event’s centerpiece was a gripping middleweight contest between former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker and rising star Reinier de Ridder. This fight drew significant attention as Whittaker aimed to reset after a recent loss to Khamzat Chimaev in October, while de Ridder sought to extend his undefeated UFC streak to 4-0 in his first main event appearance.
Highlighting the Middleweight Main Event and Supporting Bouts
In addition to the headline matchup, the card featured a bantamweight co-main event with former bantamweight champion Petr Yan facing Marcus McGhee. The main card also included competitive fights such as a middleweight showdown between Shara Magomedov and Marc-Andre Barriault, a flyweight contest between Asu Almabayev and Jose Ochoa, and a light heavyweight battle pitting Nikita Krylov against Bogdan Guskov. These matchups highlighted a diverse range of weight classes and promising talent within the UFC roster.
Details of Preliminaries and Fight Progression Highlight Key Moments
The ESPN preliminary card started with dynamic exchanges, including a notable clash between Martin Buday and Marcus Buchecha. Throughout the rounds, both fighters traded a mixture of takedown attempts, striking combinations, and clinch work. Buday successfully defended multiple takedown efforts, landing significant strikes such as right hands, knees, and elbows, while Buchecha continuously sought submission opportunities including a kimura and various chokes. Ultimately, Buday won by unanimous decision with identical 29-28 scores.
Additional Preliminary Fights and Emerging Talents
The preliminary bouts also showcased fighters across various divisions, including featherweights Mohammad Yahya versus Steven Nguyen, light heavyweights Ibo Aslan against Billy Elekana, bantamweights Davey Grant versus Da’Mon Blackshear, welterweights Muslim Salikhov facing Carlos Leal, and bantamweights Bryce Mitchell against Said Nurmagomedov. Each fight further contributed to the event’s overall competitiveness and depth, setting the stage for potential future matchups within the UFC.
Main Card Highlights: Middleweight Competition and Bantamweight Action
During the main card, middleweight Shara Magomedov matched skills with Marc-Andre Barriault in a bout that demonstrated the striking and grappling capabilities of both fighters. The bantamweight division was also spotlighted through Petr Yan’s contest with Marcus McGhee, offering fans a blend of veteran experience and rising potential. These fights provided critical insights into rankings and contenders across their respective divisions as the fighters pushed for advancement in an intensely competitive environment.
Significance of the Event and Future Implications for Fighters
UFC on ABC 9 not only delivered compelling bouts across multiple weight classes but also underscored Reinier de Ridder’s rapid ascent within the UFC middleweight rankings. His victory against a former champion like Robert Whittaker signals a possible shift in the division’s dynamic and adds excitement for upcoming title implications. Additionally, the performances of other fighters such as Petr Yan and Martin Buday emphasize the growing depth and talent within the promotion, setting up intriguing narratives and rivalries for 2025.