This past Saturday in the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi, we saw a big time matchup in the middleweight division. Former champion Robert Whittaker (26-9) was taking on the surging top contender and former ONE champion Reinier De Ridder (21-2).

The UFC is back in Abu Dhabi with a former middleweight champion taking on a rising new contender. UFC on ABC 9 (ABC, ESPN, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Get pick results from our 11 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers, as well as additional analysis, below.

Notably, the Abu Dhabi undercard plays host to a pair of fighters who belong to a very exclusive club. These are Bryce Mitchell and Da'Mon Blackshear, two bantamweights who wouldn't be remotely linked if not for an exceptionally rare finish on their respective records.