The UFC has scouted exciting former One Championship Middleweight and Light-Heavyweight champion Reinier de Ridder
34 year-old Dutchman Reinier de Ridder made a name for himself in One Championship. He joined One Championship back in 2019 with an undefeated record.
Reinier de Ridder maintained his undefeated record up until December 2022. Picking up 5 finishes in his first three years at One Championship.
In December 2022 de Ridder fought Anatoly Malykhin, de Ridder was 16-0-0 at the time. Malykhin ultimately shattered de Ridder’s perfect record serving him back-to-back losses and leading de Ridder to retire.
However, he backtracked on the retirement to return at UAE Warriors 51 where he knocked out Magomedmurad Khasaev in the first round. Coming out of retirement seems to have been a wise move showing he has more left to give to the sport.
His emphatic knockout on returning to competition seems to have earned him a UFC contract.
UFC Signs Former One Championship Double Champion Reinier de Ridder
Following his latest victory Reinier de Ridder [17-2-0] has turned his career trajectory around. Reports initially leaked by UFC Roster Tracker on X have confirmed the Dutchman has signed a multi-fight contract with the UFC.
MMA Junkie followed up the leaked news confirming via a source close to the former double champion’s situation. Despite the confirmation, the source has requested anonymity due to the UFC not yet making a formal announcement.
At the moment there is no information on the opponent or location of his debut. Despite this MMA Junkie has been told that Reinier de Ridder will compete in the Middleweight division.
At 34 years old the UFC are likely going to throw him in the deep end with time not on his side. Whether the Dutchman’s best days have passed or not is yet to be seen.
But yet another dangerous Middleweight thrown into an already talent-rich division will have fans on the edge of their seat awaiting his debut.
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