De Ridder vs. Whittaker: A Middleweight War Decided by Grind

Reinier de Ridder edged out former champion Robert Whittaker via split decision in a grueling five‑round war. Whittaker came out strong, landing a massive overhand right in Round 3 that dropped de Ridder and opened a cut above his eye. Yet de Ridder responded with steely resolve, ramping up his pressure with relentless body knees, smart clinch work, and heavy ground exchanges as the fight progressed. In the closing rounds, his volume and measured control proved decisive, as he secured a score of 48–47 from two judges—while one judge favored Whittaker. With this win, de Ridder continues a remarkable streak under the UFC banner, adding a critical victory to his fast-growing reputation.

Petr Yan on Track Again

In the co‑main event, former bantamweight champion Petr Yan maintained his momentum with a composed unanimous decision victory over the previously undefeated Marcus McGhee. Controlling the distance and dictating the pace from start to finish, Yan’s technical precision and veteran savvy shone through on every round. By managing space and timing his strikes flawlessly, he reasserted his status as a potential title contender in a very competitive division.

Battle of Grit: Magomedov Wins Bloody Decision

Shara “Bullet” Magomedov delivered a performance for the ages against Marc‑Andre Barriault. Despite coming into the fight with lingering doubts following an earlier loss, Magomedov showcased his heart and determination. Battling through a broken nose and even wrestling with impaired vision in one eye, he pressed the action relentlessly. With his diverse striking and sheer grit, Magomedov earned a hard-fought unanimous decision and secured Fight of the Night honors in a bout that was as brutal as it was beautiful.

Other Highlights and Prelim Notables

A standout moment came from Tabatha Ricci, who landed a stunning elbow in the clinch, knocking out Amanda Ribas in the second round. This victory marked her third win out of four, while Ribas saw another setback on her record.

In another early bout, the local Emirati fighter Mohammad Yahya endured a disastrous defeat. After suffering multiple knockdowns from his opponent—culminating in his eye becoming completely swollen shut—the bout was finally halted by the ringside doctor, sparking widespread concerns over the fighter.

Winners and Losers: Points of Reflection

Winners:

  • Reinier de Ridder – His relentless pressure and durable performance have vaulted him into serious title contention.
  • Petr Yan – With a composed display, he reinforced his status as a dangerous threat in the division.
  • Shara Magomedov – His comeback victory, fought against overwhelming odds, demonstrated his ability to overcome adversity and earn respect.

Losers:

  • Robert Whittaker – Once a top contender, his struggles in the later rounds raise questions about his longevity at the highest level.
  • Amanda Ribas – Suffering yet another brutal knockout, her downward trend raises doubts about her future in the division.
  • Mohammad Yahya – The catastrophic injury in his bout not only cast a shadow over the fight but also raised significant concerns about his long‑term UFC future.

What Comes Next?

Looking forward, Reinier de Ridder now finds himself squarely in the conversation for elite middleweight bouts. With his momentum building, a future matchup against top-ranked opponents now seems very likely. Petr Yan’s crisp performance keeps him in the title mix, while Whittaker faces the stark reality of needing to evolve if he wishes to remain competitive in five‑round affairs. For Mohammad Yahya, the focus now turns to his medical recovery and whether he can return to form after a night that ended in heartbreak. Meanwhile, both Magomedov and Ricci have made strong statements with their victories and could be slated for bigger fights on the next card.