The Game: UFC Abu Dhabi

The UFC returns to Abu Dhabi this Saturday, July 26, with a rare daytime card set inside Etihad Arena. Headlined by a compelling clash between former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker and former ONE Championship double-titleholder Reinier de Ridder, the event offers a mix of proven veterans, international prospects, and stylistic wild cards. For fantasy players, this card presents several high-risk, high-reward matchups — perfect for climbing the leaderboard.

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Main Card Preview

Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder – Middleweight (Five Rounds) Whittaker returns to the Octagon in search of another title run, while de Ridder makes his UFC debut after holding belts in two divisions in ONE Championship. Whittaker’s sharp boxing and elite takedown defense will be tested by de Ridder’s aggressive grappling.

Petr Yan vs. Marcus McGhee – Bantamweight A former champion looking to reassert himself, Yan takes on McGhee — a surging knockout artist on a four-fight finish streak. If McGhee pulls off the upset, he’s immediately in the title conversation.

Shara Magomedov vs. Marc-André Barriault – Middleweight This should be one of the most explosive fights on the card. Magomedov’s spinning attacks and power striking face off against Barriault’s relentless pace and toughness. Don’t expect the judges to get involved.

Asu Almabayev vs. José Ochoa – Flyweight Two rising talents with excellent scrambling and pressure styles meet in a near pick-’em fight. Whoever wins could find themselves with a number next to their name very soon.

Nikita Krylov vs. Bogdan Guskov – Light Heavyweight Krylov’s well-rounded game meets Guskov’s knockout power in a fight that could easily go either way. Expect intensity early.

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Prelim Fights to Watch • Bryce Mitchell vs. Said Nurmagomedov – Mitchell drops to bantamweight for the first time. Nurmagomedov is a slick, dynamic striker with a deep bag of tools. • Muslim Salikhov vs. Carlos Leal – A technical chess match between the seasoned Salikhov and an aggressive, volume-heavy Leal. • Davey Grant vs. Da’Mon Blackshear – Two finish-hunters known for delivering wild, back-and-forth scraps. • Amanda Ribas vs. Tabatha Ricci – Both ranked strawweights, with Ribas bringing speed and judo while Ricci thrives in the clinch and on top. • Mohammad Yahya vs. Steven Nguyen – Local favourite Yahya fights in front of a home crowd looking to secure his first UFC win.

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Key Storylines 1. De Ridder’s UFC Debut – After dominating in ONE Championship, de Ridder steps into UFC waters against a top-tier opponent. A win over Whittaker would immediately establish his credibility at 185. 2. The Return of Petr Yan – Once considered the best bantamweight on the planet, Yan looks to bounce back against a dangerous up-and-comer with finishing power. 3. Flyweight Futures – Almabayev vs. Ochoa is more than a prospect battle — it’s a glimpse into the next generation of 125-pound contenders.

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Fantasy Insights

Most players will lean on proven names like Whittaker and Yan, and that’s a solid strategy. But to create separation in the rankings, it’s wise to look at matchups with high volatility and unclear outcomes: • Almabayev vs. Ochoa has tight odds and high scramble volume. A well-timed boost here can be a game-changer. • Mitchell vs. Nurmagomedov is a stylistic coin flip. Predicting the correct method or round can bring in extra points others won’t earn. • Magomedov vs. Barriault is almost guaranteed to be action-packed. Magomedov is the favourite, but Barriault’s durability creates opportunities for late-round bonuses.

Don’t waste all your boosts on the obvious picks — they may win, but without the extra round or method points, they won’t move you up much. Focus on the fights where others hesitate and where the outcomes are harder to predict.

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UFC Abu Dhabi offers a strong mix of established names and rising talent, all set against a unique international backdrop. Whether you’re playing for pride or climbing the ranks in MMA Fantasy, this is a card with real opportunity — if you pick wisely.

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