Reinier de Ridder does not shy away from looking ahead after his crucial victory at UFC Abu Dhabi.
De Ridder took his first victory of UFC Main Event on the first time of trying on Saturday in the Middel -Oost, because his high activity continued to the UFC since jumping one championship.
De Ridder has headliner UFC Abu Dhabi and defeated Robert Whittaker through a split decision for the biggest scalp of the short Octagon career of the Dutchman so far. And the former two-division title holder of one championship made clear what he wants: a shot on the winner of the defense of Dricus du Plessis against Khamzat Chimaev on UFC 319.
But it is more than just his next fight that De Ridder has an ambitious plan for …
Reinier de Ridder likes the idea of defending the UFC Middleweight title against Israel Adesanya
De Ridder appeared on ESPN's UFC Fight Night Post show and thought about his fourth UFC triumph and looked ahead to his future in the leading promotion of MMA.
In addition to his work to convince the UFC that he must be the next one in line for those who come from the United Center of Chicago as a middleweight King on August 16, De Ridder may have trouble securing his “Dream” attack for a potential first defense along the line.
The Dutch grappling specialist pointed to former double UFC champion Israel Adesanya as a fight he would like to have after winning the belt.
“Crazy Year. Four fights, three finishes, almost ended Rob. Life is good,” said De Ridder.
“I am now a top five guy. So, yes, I would say Dricus, I would say Khamzat (next). … I think of Dricus (winning on UFC 319). He has the Dutch genes like me. I think Dricus, but we will see.
“Adesanya would also be fun. That's a dream matchup,” De Ridder continued. “That would be a nice first title defense.”
Reinier de Ridder's plan is perhaps too ambitious
The hope of De Ridder on a title shot can be interrupted when a few top candidates expand it in what is expected to serve as a title -eliminator.
'The Dutch Knight' will hope for Shenanigans or a non -convincing result when Nassourdine Imavov fights Caio Borralho in UFC Paris in September. And when it comes to a confrontation with Adesanya, that can be equally ambitious.
'The Last Stylebender' is far from the title photo, where many even call the two -time champion to hang the gloves.
Adesanya was eliminated by Imavov in UFC Saudi Arabia last February, and many people pointed out that the legend pushed forever from the championship interview.