With a number of historic feats throughout the card, the night was capped off by former two-division ONE Championship titleholder Reinier de Ridder (20-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC), who won a debated split decision over former UFC champ Robert Whittaker (26-9 MMA, 17-7 UFC) to potentially earn a title shot.

UFC Abu Dhabi featured a mighty boop, an aging kung fu master keeping some firepower and a youngling shark that attacked when the moment was right.

The Octagon returns to Abu Dhabi for the first of two events in 2025 as UFC On ABC 9 takes place inside the Etihad Arena on Yas Island.