'RDR' has been on a warpath since joining the promotion in November 2024, notching three finish victories, most recently crushing then-undefeated Bo Nickal with a knee at UFC Des Moines. Whittaker looks to maintain his top spot in the division and hopefully secure a rematch with one of the fighters from the UFC 319 main event later this month.

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.