UFC on ABC 9: Whittaker vs de Ridder - Date, Start time, Fight Card, Location

Robert Whittaker will fight Reinier de Ridder at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. They battle under the sweltering UAE sun in the main event of UFC on ABC 9, competing for dominance in the Middleweight division.

Whittaker is a seasoned fighter from Australia and previously faced top-level opponents like Khamzat Chimaev, but lost by submission last year. Reinier de Ridder hails from the Netherlands, coming off a recent technical knockout win against Bo Nickal two months ago. Ritter’s recent victory fuels his rise, but he'll face Whittaker's experience and resolve in this exciting bout.

What time is Robert Whittaker vs Reinier de Ridder fight

Live coverage for the Robert Whittaker vs Reinier de Ridder main card will start at 12:00 PM EST on ESPN+, TNT Sports Box Office. Refer to the table below to find your local time.

Region	Date	Main Card Start Time	Robert Whittaker vs Reinier de Ridder Ring Walks (approx.)
USA and Canada (EST)	Saturday, July 26, 2025	12:00 PM	03:40 PM
USA and Canada (PT)	Saturday, July 26, 2025	09:00 AM	12:40 PM
UK and Ireland (GMT)	Saturday, July 26, 2025	04:00 PM	07:40 PM
Australia (AEDT)	Sunday, July 27, 2025	03:00 AM	06:40 AM

The UFC on ABC 9 event takes place on July 26, 2025, at the Etihad Arena in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The main event features a middleweight fight between Robert Whittaker and Reinier de Ridder. The event starts at 03:40 PM EST.

Keep in mind that the start time might change slightly due to the duration of earlier fights on the card. It's important to check local listings for exact start times in your area.

Fighters Details

Robert Whittaker faces Reinier de Ridder for the Middleweight title.

Robert Whittaker

Nationality: Australia
Height: 183 cm
Weight: 84.4 kg
Total Fights: 34
Record: 26 / 8 / 0

Whittaker has fought professionally since 2009, securing a standout record of 26 wins. His recent bout ended in defeat by submission against the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev, who weighed similarly but stood taller. Whittaker's experience dealing with strong wrestlers will test his resilience in the upcoming match.

Reinier de Ridder

Nationality: Netherlands
Height: 193 cm
Weight: 83.9 kg
Total Fights: 22
Record: 20 / 2 / 0

De Ridder entered the professional scene with prominence, boasting a record of 20 victories. He recently won by TKO against Bo Nickal, who also boasts wrestling strengths but lacks height advantage. Facing Whittaker, De Ridder's height and winning streak give him confidence in this contest.

Robert Whittaker vs Reinier de Ridder Betting Odds

Favorite: Robert Whittaker : 1.7 (-150)
Underdog: Reinier de Ridder : 2.4 (+136)

How and where to watch the Robert Whittaker vs Reinier de Ridder Fight

You can watch Robert Whittaker vs Reinier de Ridder via ESPN+, TNT Sports Box Office.

Region	Live-streaming
USA	ESPN
UK and Ireland	TNT Sports Box Office

If your country is blocked by the streaming services or there simply isn’t any viable options for your country, we only can recommend one solution: using a VPN software to bypass the restrictions. It allows you to change your IP address and appear as if you’re watching the event from another country.

Watch this story: Whittaker: "I always came back with a victory after losses"

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