Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder set to headline UFC Abu Dhabi

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Robert Whittaker is back.

The UFC announced on Saturday that the former middleweight champ faces Reinier de Ridder in the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi. The Fight Night card takes place July 26 at Etihad Arena. Setanta Sports first reported the matchup being in the works for an undisclosed date and location on Twitter.

Whittaker looks to bounce back from a first-round submission loss to Khamzat Chimaev in the co-main event of UFC 308 in October.