Reinier de Ridder pulled off the biggest win of his MMA career on Saturday night, outpointing former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in a shock result that headlined an eventful UFC Fight Night at the Etihad Arena. The upset victory not only stirred the middleweight rankings but also coincided with discussions at the highest level about UFC’s potential feeder series in the Gulf region.
The Dutchman, calm and calculated throughout the contest, earned a split decision over Whittaker, controlling the pace and scoring with precision. The result adds a fourth win in a row to de Ridder’s perfect UFC record and boosts his case for a future title shot.
I’m a top five fighter in the world, I guess. That’s crazy. And in one year, by the way. Habibi. Abu Dhabi. Shukran. I love you guys.”
UFC Considering Gulf-Specific 'Road to UFC' Concept
Speaking after the 12-fight card, UFC Senior Vice-President David Shaw confirmed the promotion is actively exploring a regional development series, possibly under the format of Road to UFC or a new “challenger series” model.
A concept like RTU would make a lot of sense, I think. Even this season, we added non-Asian athletes. We had Kiwis and Aussies in the mix, so opening that up to fighters from the Middle East or Gulf countries is very much in the conversation.
Although there are no firm timelines or formats decided yet, Shaw’s comments hint at the UFC’s intent to create structured regional pipelines to scout and develop talent from untapped markets like the Arab world.
Off-Prime Events, Local Engagement Part of UFC’s Global Playbook
Shaw noted that the UFC is increasingly focused on “off-prime” events tailored to local time zones, aligning with the promotion’s international strategy.
We’ve talked about our eight off-prime events — six of which are generally aligned with UK, Europe, and Middle East time zones. Tonight’s win, and seeing some of the fan engagement online, reinforces that there’s a rich history of combat sports in this region. It would make a lot of sense.
The Middle East remains a key market, with Abu Dhabi already an established UFC destination. Recent events like UAE Warriors 61 & 62 and the Youth MMA World Championships in Al Ain have shown that the region is not only a capable host but also fertile ground for local talent.
From Courtrooms to Contenders: De Ridder’s Year of Redemption
De Ridder’s win was also symbolic in more ways than one. This time last year, he made his UFC debut in Abu Dhabi after a long legal battle with former promotion ONE Championship, which had kept him out of the octagon for months. The victory over Whittaker marks his fifth fight in exactly a year, and signals a stunning turnaround.
Relaxing for a couple of weeks and then we’ll see [about the next rival]. There’s a lot going on in the middleweight division in the next couple of weeks.
Emirati Hope Yahya Knocked Out, But Gulf’s Fighting Spirit Intact
It wasn’t a happy homecoming for UAE’s Mohammad Yahya, who suffered a first-round TKO at the hands of Stephen Nguyen. The American floored Yahya six times before earning the Fight of the Night bonus. The loss, though bitter, underlines the need for structured training pathways and more competitive exposure for fighters from the region.
The regional structure needs to evolve… we need something like Road to UFC in the Gulf. It’s a matter on the table for our planning team.
What Comes Next? All Eyes on the ‘War Room’
While no official announcement has been made yet, the idea is firmly in the UFC’s war room—the place where matchups, event schedules and global strategies are decided.
“It’s reasonable to think it’s possible,” Shaw added. “When we’re back in the war room every Tuesday, I’m sure Dana [White] and the crew will figure it out.”
With fan interest high, regional events expanding, and underdog victories like de Ridder’s grabbing headlines, the Gulf might just be the next proving ground for the UFC’s next breakout stars.
