Rising to the Top: A Look at Reinier de Ridder
Reinier de Ridder is not your typical MMA fighter. He is a two-division world champion with a black belt in jiu-jitsu and a medical background. That combination of intellect and athleticism has helped him rise quickly in the fight world, dominating opponents through skill and strategy rather than brute force.
While some fighters climb the ranks through self-promotion, de Ridder lets his performances speak for themselves. In a sport where hype often overshadows talent, he proves that calm and calculated fighters can still reach the top. This article takes a closer look at his journey, achievements, and what might be next for “The Dutch Knight.”
The Unlikely Rise: From Medical Studies to Martial Arts
Reinier de Ridder’s journey to MMA stardom did not begin in a gym. It started in a medical school classroom in the Netherlands. While studying to become a doctor, he quietly sharpened his skills in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
What began as a passion soon became a serious calling. Before long, he boldly decided to leave behind a stable medical career for the unpredictable world of professional fighting. Like the players who study patterns and approach online slots platforms with discipline, de Ridder relied on preparation and precision rather than chance.
De Ridder did not make the jump blindly. Like a skilled player reading the game, he calculated his odds, worked tirelessly, and bet on himself. His steady rise through the MMA ranks demonstrates what can happen when preparation meets opportunity.
Today, he stands as a two-division champion and a testament to the idea that unconventional choices, backed by dedication, can lead to extraordinary outcomes.
The Fighting Style: Technique Over Brute Force
Watching Reinier de Ridder fight reveals he does not rely on power punches. His victories come from control, leverage, and technique. A grappling and submission specialist, de Ridder has accumulated wins through inverted triangle chokes, arm-triangles, rear-naked chokes, and other refined submissions. Twelve of his professional victories have come by submission.
Jiu-jitsu sits at the heart of his approach. He blends smooth transitions, positional dominance, and timing to force opponents into errors. Rather than relying solely on strength, he uses intelligence and patience to control the pace of each contest. Against wrestlers or strikers, his goal is to close the distance, bring the fight to the ground, and dictate where it unfolds.
Many other technical fighters use similar strategies. These athletes do not depend on raw power but instead outthink and outmanoeuvre their opponents. In de Ridder’s case, he often capitalises on overextension or weak defence, turning seemingly neutral exchanges into submission setups.
Career Highlights and Championships
Reinier de Ridder’s climb through the MMA ranks is filled with performances that captured attention. His most notable success came in ONE Championship, where he achieved some of his most significant milestones. In October 2020, he submitted Aung La Nsang to claim the ONE Middleweight World Title.
He did not stop there. In April 2021, he stepped in and defeated Aung La Nsang again to capture the ONE Light Heavyweight World Championship. The win made him the third fighter in ONE history to hold two division titles simultaneously.
De Ridder successfully defended his belts with submission victories over opponents such as Kiamrian Abbasov and Vitaly Bigdash. Competing across two weight classes showed he was not a “win one, move up” athlete. He demonstrated that he could maintain dominance in both divisions. His ability to handle pressure, adjust his training methods, and meet the strategic demands of balancing multiple championships stood out.
When he later moved to the UFC, his reputation from ONE followed him. Fans and analysts alike were eager to see if he could maintain that championship mindset on the sport’s biggest stage.
Current Standing in the MMA World
Reinier de Ridder is currently enjoying strong momentum in the MMA world. Since joining the UFC, he has secured four wins without a loss, defeating veterans such as Gerald Meerschaert and Kevin Holland with smooth submissions and decisive finishes.
Most recently, he earned a split-decision victory over former champion Robert Whittaker, which drew significant media attention. That result cemented his status as a serious contender in the middleweight division.
His home base remains Combat Brothers in the Netherlands, a gym known for its grappling excellence. De Ridder’s training camps focus on integrating technique, strength, and adaptability to prepare him for multiple fighting styles. Observers often highlight his composure under pressure and the precision of his transitions. With a promising matchup against Brendan Allen scheduled for UFC Vancouver, many expect this fight to determine whether he can break into the elite tier of his division.
What’s Next: Upcoming Fights and UFC Possibilities
De Ridder’s next appearance is confirmed. He will headline UFC Vancouver on 18 October 2025 against Brendan Allen, following Anthony Hernandez’s withdrawal due to injury. The matchup offers another high-stakes test and could move de Ridder closer to a title shot if he continues his unbeaten run.
Speculation about future matchups is already building. Big names such as Khamzat Chimaev have been mentioned as possible opponents. Given de Ridder’s dual-champion success in ONE, many fans are curious to see if he can achieve similar dominance within the UFC.
The challenges ahead remain significant. He must adapt to the depth of talent in the UFC, manage potential injuries, and maintain consistency. Yet de Ridder possesses a rare chance to build a legacy as a fighter who bridged two major organisations and succeeded in both.
The Calm Force Redefining MMA
Reinier de Ridder’s story illustrates how discipline and strategy can outshine hype and brute strength. From medical student to two-division world champion, he has taken calculated risks and transformed them into victories. With his upcoming UFC challenges on the horizon, “The Dutch Knight” is not simply chasing wins. He is shaping a legacy that may redefine what it means to be a thinking fighter in mixed martial arts.
