UFC Abu Dhabi: Professional picks, greatest bets for Whittaker vs. de Ridder

The UFC will host its first of two 2025 combat playing cards in Abu Dhabi this weekend, as Robert Whittaker and Reinier de Ridder headline UFC Combat Night time in Etihad Enviornment on Saturday (3 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN+, with prelims at midday on ESPN/ESPN+).

Whittaker, a former UFC middleweight champion, is ranked No. 6 in ESPN’s divisional rankings. He suffered a first-round submission loss in opposition to Khamzat Chimaev in his final Octagon look at UFC 308 in October.

De Ridder, unranked by ESPN, is a former two-division champion in One Championship. De Ridder is undefeated since making his UFC debut at a UFC Combat Night time final November. He has completed all three of his UFC opponents.

ESPN MMA analysts and commentators present their important occasion predictions, and ESPN betting knowledgeable Ian Parker provides perception on the most effective worth bets on the combat card.

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We’re not fairly certain the place de Ridder suits in on the highest stage, and Whittaker thrives on turning again youthful guys from the highest of the division. He is only a higher martial artist on this case. De Ridder is a greater grappler, however I am uncertain whether or not he can take Whittaker down and maintain him there. De Ridder is coming off a win over Bo Nickal, however nearly as good as Nickal has regarded, to escalate from that matchup to a prime fighter reminiscent of Robert Whittaker is loopy. — Anthony Smith

De Ridder has loads of expertise he can faucet into. This would possibly not be too massive of a second for him — combating a five-round important occasion in opposition to the most effective middleweights in UFC historical past. De Ridder’s ahead and annoying strain, in addition to his size, will put on on Whittaker and power him to make errors. As soon as Whittaker does that, de Ridder is an unforgiving fighter who does not let you get well. — Din Thomas

Betting evaluation

Odds correct as of publication. For essentially the most up-to-date odds, go to ESPN BET.

Parker: Whittaker to win (-150). De Ridder is getting his hardest check thus far within the former champ. Whittaker is coming off a devastating loss to Chimaev. Can he bounce again?

I consider he’ll get the win right here over the rising contender. De Ridder’s measurement and grappling potential are his largest threats. On the toes, his placing is lower than fascinating, and the extent of competitors he has fought up to now does not examine to what Whittaker has confronted. Moreover, Whittaker has extra expertise combating within the championship rounds. De Ridder has had just one skilled combat lengthen past Spherical 3, and we have now seen him fade because the combat goes on. Search for Whittaker to cease the early takedown makes an attempt of de Ridder and preserve the combat standing, the place he will get the win by knockout or choice.

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Parker’s greatest bets on the remainder of the cardboard

Males’s flyweight: Asu Almabayev vs. Jose Ochoa

Ochoa to win (-110). I am taking Ochoa in what needs to be a enjoyable and fast-paced matchup. Ocha lately confirmed his artistic, high-level placing and his ending energy at this weight class. Ochoa simply must cease takedown makes an attempt from Almabayev. If he does that, this combat is his to win. In his final combat, Almabayev had zero success getting Manel Kape to the bottom, forcing him into primarily a kickboxing combat. Consequently, he was TKO’d in Spherical 3. The blueprint to beat Almabayev is there, and I consider Ochoa follows it to get the win.

Gentle heavyweight: Nikita Krylov vs. Bogdan Guskov

Krylov to win (-185). This can be a massive step up in competitors for Guskov after his latest win over Billy Elekana. Guskov is a talented striker, however I anticipate him to be placed on his again inside the first two minutes of this combat. Krylov, a longtime UFC veteran, was on a pleasant successful streak till shedding to Dominick Reyes in his final outing.

Anticipate Krylov to wrestle and grapple to remove the knockout energy of Guskov. Though Krylov is the higher striker, his largest benefit is when the combat hits the mat. He could be loopy to not get it there as quickly as attainable.

Gentle heavyweight: Ibo Aslan vs. Billy Elekana

Aslan to win by KO/TKO. Sitting as an almost 2-to-1 favourite, Alsan seems to get again within the win column in opposition to Elekana. Aslan nonetheless wants to enhance his floor recreation and submission protection. Luckily, Elekana is just not a wrestler. This combat will doubtless keep on the toes, and Aslan ought to land early and infrequently. Elekana is coming off a foul loss in his UFC debut, and I do not see this matchup going a lot otherwise.