An undefeated UFC community service in the middleweight still hopes to reject his earlier defeats at a certain moment.
Reinier de Ridder believes that he must make a statement in Abu Dhabi to place himself in the photo of the middle weight.
While 'RDR' has hit the land in the UFC, he is no stranger to world title fighting, after he was previously ruled as a two -way champion.
De Ridder has warned fighters about signing one championship since he left the promotion where he achieved great success in Asia.
On the way to the Ridder's collision with Robert Whittaker, there is only one man who has surpassed 'the Dutch Knight', who defeated him twice.
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC
Reinier de Ridder wants the chance to face Anatoly Malykhin again, but says he 'can't fight in the UFC'
After 16-0 in his career, Reinier de Ridder ruled as a person's middleweight and light heavyweight champion before he suffered his first setback in December 2022.
One fight Night 5 saw 'The Dutch Knight' defending his light heavyweight title in Manila against the unbeaten Russian, Anatoly Malykhin.
Malykhin stopped him in the first round before he claimed the other title of the knight in a rematch and ended him in the third on one 166 in March 2024.
During his interviews with Mediadag, De Ridder spoke very much about Malykhin when he was asked how he would do it in the UFC.
'The Dutch Knight' also wants the opportunity to earn his revenge over the Russian, but still signed with one championship, which has different systems for the athletes compared to the UFC, he does not think he will face his former opponent in the Octagon.
“I think his skills would be very applicable, but we know that I don't know how to say this, but he can't fight in the UFC because of other factors. So that's a shame. I don't think we'll ever know, unfortunately. I would really like to have a different chance of him, so hopefully that is materialized, but that is unable to fight in the UFC.”
Anatoly Malykhin claimed that only one UFC midweight can beat Reinier de Ridder
In a recent interview with Bloody Elbow, Anatoly Malykhin also spoke strongly about Reinier de Ridder.
After he had taken both titles from his former opponent, the Russian claimed a third belt in heavyweight before he suffered his first defeat last time and lost the heavyweight title to the Rugrug 'Kane van Oumar.
He told Bloody Elbow that, in his opinion, there is only one UFC center weight that pays an important threat to De Ridder.
“If someone underestimates the knight now, they have to stop immediately. In my opinion, he is in the top three in his weight class. The only opposition that I realistically see for him who can stop him is Khamzat Chimaev.”
“I don't think anyone else can stop him. He is a hunter of a very high caliber.”