Kevin Holland’s mid-fight trash talk backfires as he suffers stoppage loss at UFC 311

Reiner de Ridder continues to find success in the UFC Octagon.

'The Dutch Knight' presented Gerald Meerschaert in his debut in November 2024, and now he dominates in his PPV debut against Kevin Holland at UFC 311.

De Ridder, a former ONE Championship doubles champion, opened the main card portion of the PPV against 'Trailblazer'.

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Reiner de Ridder presents trash-talking Kevin Holland at UFC 311

De Ridder spared no time in the opening frame, immediately pressuring Holland against the fence and securing a takedown. The Dutch grappler appeared to underestimate the Dutch guard as the wiry American attempted an armbar attempt that temporarily put him in trouble.

Like a dying fly, Holland flew onto his back and hit De Ridder with upkicks. De Ridder looked as if he was injured, but moments later passed the Dutch guard. Holland taunted De Ridder from his back and shouted at his opponent as they scrambled across the ground.

After some more wrestling exchanges, De Ridder secured Holland's back and sank into a tight rear choke, forcing the tap.

The win marks De Ridder's fourteenth career submission and second straight victory in the UFC. He will soon face opposition in the middleweight division. As for championship aspirations, the middleweight title will be up for grabs in the main event of UFC 312 between Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland on February 8.

If De Ridder challenges Du Plessis for the throne, it will not be an easy task.

Dricus Du Plessis sent in a whole team of grapplers

Du Plessis is known for his gung-ho striking, but his submission wrestling is one of the most underrated in the UFC.

'Stillknocks' competed in the Submission Kings Quintet in 2021 in a five-on-five submission wrestling tournament against a Gracie Barra team. Shockingly, Du Plessis rolled the entire five-man team back to back and took the win.

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