Robert Whittaker thinks Reinier de Ridder will shoot takedowns from the opening bell in the UFC Abu Dhabi main event.

The UFC heavyweight division has been sitting idle for far too long, but Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane are about to change that. With Jon Jones officially out of the picture, the promotion has locked in its plans for the top spot.

Former UFC Middleweight champion Robert Whittaker takes on Reinier de Ridder, who is a former champion at Middleweight and Light Heavyweight in the ONE promotion. RDR won his first three fights in the UFC but will have to contend with a tough opponent in the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi.

Here's how to watch UFC on ABC 9 with an ex-middleweight champ and former ONE two-division titleholder in the headlining spot. UFC on ABC 9 has a main card that starts at noon ET on ABC. The preliminary card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+ at 9 a.m. ET.

Robert Whittaker and Reinier de Ridder compete in a pivotal middleweight clash weeks before Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev fight for the middleweight title. In the aftermath of UFC 318, the mixed martial arts promotion heads to Abu Dhabi.

UAE Warriors swings into action this week, just days before UFC Fight Night returns to Abu Dhabi. The capital promotion is back with a double-header over two nights at Space42 Arena in Al Raha that includes Jordanian fighter Ali Al Qaisi lining up a record third title.

Petr Yan thinks he will get the Merab Dvalishvili vs. Cory Sandhagen winner as long as he gets past Marcus McGhee at UFC Abu Dhabi.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT will take centre stage at Etihad Arena on Saturday, July 26, with a thrilling middleweight showdown between former champion Robert Whittaker and undefeated Dutch contender Reinier de Ridder taking the headline slot.