Who Is Reinier de Ridder? A Look at the MMA Career of the Former Two-Division Champion

Quick Answer

Reinier de Ridder is a Dutch mixed martial artist currently competing in the UFC's middleweight and light heavyweight divisions. He is a former two-division champion in ONE Championship, where he held both the middleweight and light heavyweight titles simultaneously.

As of August 2026, de Ridder holds a professional record of 21-4 and is scheduled to face Roman Dolidze at UFC Fight Night on August 22, 2026, in Sacramento, California — his first bout at light heavyweight since 2022.

Key Facts

Record: 21-4 (5 knockouts, 13 submissions, 3 decisions)
Age: 35 (born September 7, 1990)
Height/Reach: 6'4" (193 cm) with a 78-inch (198 cm) reach
Fighting Out Of: Breda, Netherlands
Team: Combat Brothers
Current Streak: Two losses (Brendan Allen, Caio Borralho)
Next Fight: Roman Dolidze, August 22, 2026, UFC Fight Night in Sacramento
Notable Wins: Robert Whittaker, Bo Nickal, Kevin Holland, Gerald Meerschaert, Aung La N Sang (twice), Kiamrian Abbasov, Vitaly Bigdash
Championships: Former ONE Middleweight Champion, Former ONE Light Heavyweight Champion, HIT Middleweight Champion, 360 Middleweight Champion
Grappling Credentials: Black belt in Judo, Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Recent Losses: Caio Borralho (UFC 326, March 2026), Brendan Allen (UFC Vancouver, October 2025), Anatoly Malykhin (ONE 166, March 2024)

From Dutch Judo to Two-Division ONE Champion

Reinier de Ridder's martial arts journey began long before his professional MMA debut in 2013. Born in Tilburg and fighting out of Breda, Netherlands, de Ridder built his grappling foundation on two black belts — one in Judo and one in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

This dual background would become the defining characteristic of his fighting style, setting him apart from many contemporaries who specialize in only one grappling discipline. His professional career started on the European regional scene, where he claimed championships in smaller promotions like HIT Fighting Championship and 360 Promotion.

These early titles — both at middleweight — demonstrated his ability to finish fights and control opponents on the ground, skills that would later translate to success on the global stage. De Ridder's breakout came when he signed with ONE Championship, Asia's largest martial arts organization.

His arrival coincided with a period of aggressive expansion for the promotion, and de Ridder quickly positioned himself as one of its most dangerous submission artists.

The First Title Middleweight Gold

The defining moment of de Ridder's early ONE tenure came on October 30, 2020, when he challenged Aung La N Sang for the ONE Middleweight Championship at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. De Ridder entered the fight as a significant underdog — the pick'em odds showed only 20% of fans backing him — but he needed just 3 minutes and 26 seconds to rewrite the narrative.

De Ridder locked in a rear-naked choke in the first round, forcing the champion to tap and claiming the middleweight title in emphatic fashion. The victory earned him ONE's 2020 Submission of the Year honors and announced his arrival as a legitimate threat in the division.

The rematch came on April 28, 2021, at ONE on TNT 4. This time, Aung La N Sang was better prepared, and the fight went the full five rounds.

De Ridder showed his championship mettle by outworking the former champion over 25 minutes, taking a unanimous decision to retain his belt and cement his dominance over the division.

Making History at Light Heavyweight

With the middleweight division under control, de Ridder set his sights on a second title. The opportunity came against Aung La N Sang once again — this time for the ONE Light Heavyweight Championship on February 25, 2022.

The fight followed a similar pattern to their first meeting. De Ridder imposed his grappling game plan, and in the third round, he locked in an arm-triangle choke at the 57-second mark.

The submission forced the tap and made de Ridder a two-division champion — a rare achievement that placed him in elite company within ONE Championship's history. At the time of his double-championship reign, de Ridder was widely regarded as one of the most dangerous grapplers in the sport.

His ability to chain submissions from any position, combined with his size and reach advantages, made him a nightmare matchup for most opponents.

Defending and Dominating

De Ridder's light heavyweight title reign included a successful defense against Vitaly Bigdash at ONE 159 on July 22, 2022. The fight lasted just 3 minutes and 29 seconds, with de Ridder finishing Bigdash via an inverted triangle choke — a rare and spectacular submission that earned him ONE's 2022 Submission of the Year award.

This was the second consecutive year de Ridder had claimed the promotion's submission of the year honors, a testament to his creativity and finishing ability on the ground. Between his two title reigns, he had become the face of ONE's grappling-first approach to MMA.

The Fall Malykhin, Struggles, and the UFC Transition

No fighter's career follows a perfectly upward trajectory, and de Ridder's path took a significant detour in late 2022.

The First Malykhin Loss

On December 2, 2022, de Ridder faced Anatoly Malykhin at ONE on Prime Video 5 in a fight that would expose the limits of his game. Malykhin, a powerful Russian wrestler with knockout power, overwhelmed de Ridder in the first round, stopping him via TKO at 4:35.

It was de Ridder's first professional loss and a shocking result for a champion who had seemed invincible. The loss raised questions about de Ridder's ability to handle elite wrestlers with heavy hands.

Malykhin's pressure and power neutralized de Ridder's grappling entries, and the Dutchman had no answers on the feet.

The Rematch That Ended the Era

The rematch came on March 1, 2024, at ONE 166 — a fight promoted as the final chapter in the rivalry. This time, Malykhin was even more dominant.

De Ridder was forced to retire in the corner after the third round, suffering a TKO loss that effectively ended his tenure in ONE Championship. The defeat was de Ridder's second consecutive loss to Malykhin and marked the end of his time as a champion in the promotion.

In the aftermath, de Ridder openly discussed the state of ONE Championship, admitting in July 2025 that things were "not looking good" for the organization while expressing gratitude that the UFC was keeping him busy.

A Fresh Start in the UFC

De Ridder signed with the UFC and made his promotional debut on November 9, 2024, against Gerald Meerschaert at UFC Fight Night: Magny vs. Prates.

The fight showcased everything de Ridder does best — he submitted Meerschaert in the third round at 1:44, announcing his arrival in the world's premier MMA organization. The UFC debut was followed by a quick turnaround.

On January 18, 2025, at UFC 311, de Ridder faced Kevin Holland. The fight lasted just 3 minutes and 31 seconds, with de Ridder locking in another rear-naked choke for the first-round submission victory.

Two fights, two submissions in the UFC — the Dutchman was making a statement.

The 2025 UFC Run Nickal, Whittaker, and the Allen Setback

De Ridder's 2025 campaign was arguably the most significant stretch of his UFC career, featuring a mix of statement wins and a damaging loss.

Breaking Bo Nickal

On May 3, 2025, de Ridder faced Bo Nickal at UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo.

Nickal, a decorated collegiate wrestler, was considered one of the most promising prospects in the middleweight division. The fight was viewed as a litmus test for both men — could Nickal handle a seasoned grappler, or would de Ridder expose the hype?

The answer came in the second round. At 1:53, de Ridder landed a knee to the body that folded Nickal, earning a TKO victory.

The finish was significant for several reasons: it was de Ridder's first knockout in the UFC, it demonstrated his underrated striking ability, and it marked the first real setback in Nickal's professional career.

The Whittaker Upset

The biggest win of de Ridder's UFC career came on July 26, 2025, at UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. de Ridder in Abu Dhabi.

Robert Whittaker, a former UFC middleweight champion and perennial top contender, was expected to test de Ridder's grappling against elite-level wrestling and boxing. Instead, de Ridder outworked the Australian over five rounds, taking a split decision in a closely contested fight.

The victory was a career-defining moment — it proved de Ridder could compete with — and beat — former champions, and it immediately elevated him into title contention conversations. The win over Whittaker was particularly notable because it demonstrated de Ridder's evolution as a complete mixed martial artist.

He wasn't just a grappler anymore; his cardio, striking, and fight IQ held up against one of the best middleweights of his generation.

The Allen Disaster

The momentum from the Whittaker win came to an abrupt halt on October 18, 2025. De Ridder was scheduled to face Anthony Hernandez in the main event of UFC Vancouver, but Hernandez pulled out and was replaced by Brendan Allen.

The fight did not go as planned. Allen, a durable and gritty grappler in his own right, pushed a relentless pace.

By the fourth round, de Ridder was exhausted and unable to continue — the corner stopped the fight, resulting in a TKO loss. It was a demoralizing defeat, especially after the high of beating Whittaker just three months earlier.

The loss exposed potential cardio and durability issues that had not been apparent in de Ridder's previous fights. It also raised questions about whether he could handle the depth of the UFC's middleweight division.

2026 The Borralho Loss and the Move to Light Heavyweight

UFC 326 and the Borralho Challenge

De Ridder's next fight came on March 7, 2026, at UFC 326 against Caio Borralho. The Brazilian was a rising contender with a well-rounded game, and the fight was expected to be a grappling-heavy affair.

The fight went the distance — three rounds, all five minutes — with Borralho taking a unanimous decision. It was de Ridder's second consecutive loss and a clear sign that the middleweight division's top tier was becoming increasingly difficult to crack.

The loss dropped de Ridder's record to 21-4 and left him at a career crossroads. At 35 years old, with two straight losses, the path forward was unclear.

Would he continue at middleweight, or would a change of scenery revive his career?

The Light Heavyweight Pivot

The answer came in July 2026. De Ridder announced he was moving up to light heavyweight, declaring he was "never going back" to middleweight.

The move made sense on multiple levels — at 6'4" with an 78-inch reach, de Ridder had always been a large middleweight, and a move up would allow him to compete without the grueling weight cut. The light heavyweight division also presented a more favorable competitive landscape.

With the division headlined by fighters like Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane at heavyweight and a less deep light heavyweight pool, de Ridder could potentially make a faster run toward title contention.

The Dolidze Fight A Fresh Start

De Ridder's light heavyweight debut is scheduled for August 22, 2026, against Roman Dolidze at UFC Fight Night in Sacramento, California. Dolidze, a Georgian fighter with a 15-5 record, presents an interesting stylistic matchup.

He is a powerful striker with solid grappling credentials, making him a legitimate test for de Ridder's transition. The fight is critical for de Ridder's career trajectory.

A convincing win would reset his momentum and establish him as a factor in the light heavyweight division. A loss would raise serious questions about whether he can still compete at an elite level.

In the lead-up to the fight, de Ridder has expressed confidence in his ability to finish opponents quickly. He has suggested that a title shot might be within reach if he performs well in his new division — an optimistic but not unreasonable assessment given his pedigree and the relatively open nature of the light heavyweight division.

Fighting Style, Skillset, and Legacy Considerations

The Grappling Foundation

De Ridder's fighting style is built on an elite grappling base that combines Judo throws and trips with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu submissions. His 13 career submission wins account for over 60% of his victories, and his finishing ability on the ground is among the best in the sport.

His signature techniques include the rear-naked choke — which he has used to finish Aung La N Sang, Kevin Holland, and others — as well as more exotic submissions like the inverted triangle choke he used against Vitaly Bigdash. This creativity and willingness to attempt unusual techniques make him a dangerous and unpredictable opponent on the ground.

The Judo background gives de Ridder a unique advantage in the clinch. He can throw opponents from positions where most fighters would simply be fighting for control, and his trips and sweeps consistently put him in dominant positions.

Striking Development

While grappling remains his primary weapon, de Ridder has shown meaningful improvement in his striking over the years. The knockout of Bo Nickal via a body knee demonstrated his ability to hurt opponents on the feet, and his five-round performance against Whittaker showed improved cardio and fight management.

That said, striking remains the weakest part of his game. His losses to Malykhin and Allen both came via TKO, and his most recent loss to Borralho was a decision where he was outworked on the feet.

At light heavyweight, where the fighters are generally bigger and more powerful, this is a concern.

Physical Attributes and Age

At 35, de Ridder is entering the latter stages of his prime. His physical attributes — height, reach, and grappling ability — remain elite, but the two consecutive losses raise questions about his durability and ability to recover from adversity.

The move to light heavyweight could be a double-edged sword. On one hand, he won't have to cut as much weight, which could improve his cardio and recovery.

On the other hand, he'll be facing bigger, stronger opponents who may be better equipped to neutralize his grappling.

Career Earnings and Recognition

De Ridder's disclosed career earnings in the UFC stand at $50,000, though this figure likely doesn't include performance bonuses or pay-per-view shares. His regional and ONE Championship earnings are not publicly disclosed.

Despite the modest disclosed earnings, de Ridder has accumulated significant recognition throughout his career. He was named to MMA Fighting's 2025 Second Team All-Star list, and his 2024 fight against Malykhin was ranked as the #3 Fight of the Year in ONE Championship.

He also holds the distinction of being ONE's third double champion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Reinier de Ridder still fighting in ONE Championship?

No. De Ridder signed with the UFC in late 2024 and has been competing exclusively in the UFC since his debut on November 9, 2024, against Gerald Meerschaert.

His final ONE Championship fight was the March 2024 rematch against Anatoly Malykhin at ONE 166.

What is Reinier de Ridder's current UFC record?

De Ridder's UFC record stands at 5-3 as of August 2026. He has wins over Gerald Meerschaert, Kevin Holland, Bo Nickal, Robert Whittaker, and Magomedmurad Khasaev (in UAE Warriors, not the UFC), with losses to Brendan Allen and Caio Borralho in the UFC.

His other UFC win was against Robert Whittaker.

Why did Reinier de Ridder move to light heavyweight?

De Ridder has stated he is "never going back" to middleweight. The move allows him to compete without the difficult weight cut and presents a potentially faster path to title contention.

His light heavyweight debut is scheduled for August 22, 2026, against Roman Dolidze.

What is Reinier de Ridder's biggest career win?

The win over Robert Whittaker at UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi on July 26, 2025, is widely considered his biggest career victory. Whittaker is a former UFC middleweight champion, and the split-decision win over five rounds proved de Ridder could compete with and beat elite-level opposition.

How many submission wins does Reinier de Ridder have?

De Ridder has 13 submission wins in his professional career. He has won ONE's Submission of the Year award twice — in 2020 for his rear-naked choke over Aung La N Sang and in 2022 for his inverted triangle choke over Vitaly Bigdash.

Reference Notes

Information in this article is based on publicly available sources. Some details may change over time.

Verify with official sources before acting.

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