This article was originally published on www.si.com/fannation/mma as UFC bogeyman flattened Robert Whittaker’s teeth with savage choke. Robert Whittaker returns from one of the most devastating losses of his career when he steps in the Octagon this weekend at UFC Abu Dhabi.

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

The UFC Abu Dhabi Main Event is finally here! Check the UFC odds for our Whittaker-de Ridder prediction and pick.

Prior to his loss to Khamzat Chimaev in October, Whittaker crushed Ikram Aliskerkov in 109 seconds in June 2024. The victory was the second-quickest of his UFC tenure and was the headliner of the promotion's first trip to Saudi Arabia.