The UFC has become skilled at recruiting top talent from other promotions, and that trend continued on Tuesday, September 24, when news broke about a significant new signing. The UFC secured a deal with Reinier de Ridder, a former ONE Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight champion. UFC CEO Dana White was asked about the signing during the post-event press conference following the Contender Series, and although White deferred to UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard, this usually indicates that the information is accurate.
At 34 years old, de Ridder held both the Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight titles simultaneously during his time at ONE Championship. He joins the UFC with an impressive record of 17 wins and 2 losses, both of which were dealt by the powerful Russian fighter Anatoly Malykhin. De Ridder, originally from the Netherlands, recently competed for UAE, where he secured a first-round knockout victory over Magomedmurad Khasaev in July.
It’s still unclear which division de Ridder will compete in within the UFC, whether Light Heavyweight or Heavyweight. Standing at 6-foot-4, he seems to be better suited for the Light Heavyweight division. As recently as 2018, de Ridder fought at Middleweight, making it doubtful that he has the physical size to compete with the larger fighters in the Heavyweight division.
De Ridder is known for his dominant grappling style, often overwhelming opponents with his wrestling skills and heavy strikes. Unlike some wrestlers who focus solely on control, de Ridder is aggressive in pursuing a finish. He boasts an 89% finish rate, with 71% of his victories coming via submission. His ability to finish fights adds excitement to his UFC arrival, and how the UFC matches him in his debut will reveal how they perceive his potential.
If de Ridder is initially matched against an unranked opponent, it may suggest that the UFC is cautiously assessing his abilities. However, this perception could change quickly if he delivers dominant performances inside the Octagon. Some potential opponents for de Ridder, should he face an unranked fighter, include Modestas Bukauskas, Oumar Sy, and Zhang Miyang. However, if the UFC has bigger plans for him right away, fighters like Alonzo Menifield or Johnny Walker could be more likely opponents.
There has also been some speculation that de Ridder could drop down to Middleweight for his UFC career, although that seems unlikely at this point in his career. If he does take that path, a potential opponent could be Brazilian grappler Rodolfo Vieira. However, it’s doubtful the UFC would match him with another grappler right out of the gate, as they might prefer to showcase his overall skills first.
At this stage, it remains to be seen whether de Ridder has the potential to become a title contender in the UFC. Regardless, his championship experience from other promotions will certainly add depth to whichever division he ultimately competes in. Given that de Ridder is already in his mid-30s, the UFC may not take a slow approach with him. Instead, they could test him early against tougher competition, similar to how they handled the signing of Michael “Venom” Page when he transitioned from Bellator to the UFC earlier this year.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see de Ridder make his UFC debut on the prelims or even early in the main card of UFC 310. His debut, and the caliber of his first opponent, will provide a clearer picture of how the UFC views his potential and where he might fit in among the promotion’s best. Fans and analysts alike will be keeping a close eye on de Ridder’s entry into the UFC to see if his success in other promotions will translate to the highest level of mixed martial arts competition. Stay tuned for what could be a thrilling addition to the UFC roster.
UFC Signs Former Light And Heavyweight Champion
