Two of the top middleweights in the world headlined the recent UFC Abu Dhabi event that aired live on ABC in Reinier de Ridder and Robert Whittaker.

Herzog was the third man on the octagon Saturday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi when Nguyen (11-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) battered Yahya (12-6 MMA, 0-3 UFC) all over the cage, scoring a new single-fight high six knockdowns landed before it was mercifully called off by the doctor at the conclusion of the second round.

Marcus Buchecha, a 13-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion and one of the greatest submission artists in the discipline’s history, dropped his UFC debut to Martin Buday to kick off the UFC Abu Dhabi event on Saturday. Buchecha was considered one of the biggest UFC signings of the year after a long-successful tenure in ONE Championship.

After UFC Abu Dhabi last night (July 26, 2025) on “Fight Island,” it’s clear Whittaker’s time near the top has come to an end.

On this week's episode of "Spinning Back Clique," our panel reacts to Reinier De Ridder's big win, some of the recent big fight bookings and more.

🚨 Shara Magomedov remains in hospital in Abu Dhabi following a nose operation he had after his fight with Marc-André Barriault. According to our information, Saraputdin will remain in hospital for 1 or 2 additional days before he will be cleared to leave. pic.twitter.com/zMhTfSemWs

Following UFC Abu Dhabi last night (Sat., July 26, 2025), inside Etihad Arena in the United Arab Emirates, sources confirmed to MMAmania.com that three fighters were transported to the local hospital for precautionary reasons following their fights.

Mohammad Yahya faced off against Steven Nguyen on the preliminary card of UFC Abu Dhabi, suffering a gnarly eye injury that is one of the worst you will ever see.