```html Whittaker vs. de Ridder: UFC Fight Night Delivers Action from Abu Dhabi Robert Whittaker and Reinier de Ridder faced off in the highly anticipated main event of UFC Fight Night from Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Saturday, July 26th. The event, streamed live on ESPN+, showcased a night of compelling matchups, highlighting the global appeal and expanding reach of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

ESPN+ Streams UFC Fight Night The main card, which began at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT, was available to stream exclusively on ESPN+, requiring a subscription for access. Preliminaries started earlier in the day, also on ESPN+ and select broadcasts on ESPN. This marks a continuation of the UFC's strategic partnership with ESPN, leveraging the platform's streaming capabilities to reach a broad audience.

Fighter Perspectives Ahead of the fight, Reinier de Ridder expressed his strategy, stating, "I see myself, pressing forward, putting a lot of pressure on him early. I see him responding with quick kicks, trying to blitz. I’m going to pressure him early, hand-fight, hit him with some good long-range stuff, then hopefully hit him with some close-range stuff. Take him down, choke him out. That’s the plan." This insight provided fans with a glimpse into the tactical considerations leading into the high-stakes bout.

The Rise of Streaming in Sports Entertainment The exclusive streaming of UFC Fight Night on ESPN+ underscores a broader trend in the entertainment industry: the increasing dominance of streaming platforms. Dr. Amanda Lotz, Professor of Media Studies at the University of Michigan and author of "Portals: A Treatise on Internet-Distributed Television," notes that "live sports are increasingly seen as a key driver for streaming subscriptions. The UFC's partnership with ESPN+ is a prime example of how sports leagues are adapting to the changing media landscape, directly reaching fans through digital platforms."

UFC's Global Expansion Hosting the event in Abu Dhabi signifies the UFC's ongoing efforts to expand its global footprint. The organization has strategically targeted international markets, building a fanbase that extends far beyond North America. "The UFC has been very successful in cultivating a global audience," says sports marketing consultant David Carter of the University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business. "Events like this in Abu Dhabi not only tap into existing fan bases but also create opportunities to attract new viewers and sponsors in key growth regions." The choice of location reflects a calculated move to capitalize on the growing interest in MMA across the Middle East.

Fight Card Highlights Beyond the main event, the UFC Fight Night card featured a series of compelling matchups:

Co-Main Event: Petr Yan vs. Marcus McGhee (Bantamweight) Sharabutdin Magomedov vs. Marc-André Barriault (Middleweight) Asu Almabayev vs. Jose Ochoa (Flyweight) Nikita Krylov vs. Bogdan Guskov (Light Heavyweight)

Prelims Featured Rising Stars The preliminary card also delivered exciting action, showcasing emerging talent within the UFC ranks:

Bryce Mitchell vs. Said Nurmagomedov (Bantamweight) Muslim Salikhov vs. Carlos Leal Miranda (Welterweight) Davey Grant vs. Da’Mon Blackshear (Bantamweight) Amanda Ribas vs. Tabatha Ricci (Women’s Strawweight) Ibo Aslan vs. Billy Elekana (Light Heavyweight) Mohammad Yahya vs. Steven Nguyen (Featherweight) Martin Buday vs. Marcus Buchecha (Heavyweight)

Looking Ahead UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. de Ridder served as another demonstration of the UFC's enduring popularity and its strategic adaptation to the evolving media landscape. As streaming continues to reshape the entertainment industry, the UFC's partnership with ESPN+ and its global expansion efforts position the organization for continued growth and success. ```