The Middle Weight Division has a new potential title -seconder after the return of the UFC to Abu Dhabi.
In the main event on July 26, Reinier de Ridder Robert Whittaker defeated to continue his unbeaten run since he was signed at the UFC last year.
It was perhaps not the explanation that De Ridder sought, some fans believed that Whittaker deserved the victory, but it was still a huge result for the Dutchman.
Dricus Du Plessis is opposed to Khamzat Chimaev on UFC 319 in his next title defense with the next challenger of the champion who will be decided in the coming months.
While 'The Dutch Knight' hopes to have his name in the near future, he is called by another middleweight that has recently lifted his hand.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Paulo Costa believes that he would eliminate Reinier de Ridder three times in a potential title -eliminator
With the will of Nassourdine Imavov versus Caio Borralho who will still take place, it is not clear who will appear as the next competition in line to see the winner of the UFC 319 Main Event.
His recent form can say otherwise, but some have looked for Paulo Costa to be in the conversation for one specific reason.
The UFC 318 victory of the Brazilian on Roman Kopylov did not get fans out of their seats, but Costa's rivalry with Khamzat Chimaev could work in his favor if the challenger wins the middleweight title on August 16.
'Borrachinha' posted several reactions to the UFC Abu Dhabi Main Event, where comparisons were made between Dricus du Plessis and Reinier de Ridder's Styles.
I thought Dricus was the strange fighting style in UFC, but De Ridder does everything to compete with him.
– Paulo Costa (@borrachinhamma) 26 July 2025
View tweet
He also criticized the five-round battle of the Dutchman with Robert Whittaker and made a daring prediction about what would happen if he locked Hoorns with 'RDR'.
“With all due respect, I would disable De Ridder 3 x Wich Round. Having said that, congratulations on your victory today, despite [a] Bad fight. “
With all due respect, I would eliminate the knight 3 x that round round. That said, congratulations on your victory today, despite bad fights.
– Paulo Costa (@borrachinhamma) 26 July 2025
View tweet
Several large middleweight matchups will change the landscape of the division in the coming months
With UFC 318 and UFC Abu Dhabi now in the books, we still have several important middleweight matchups in the coming months that have a major impact on the division.
Of course, the coming title fight in Chicago is the largest in the couple and it can also affect who the next challenger will be in the case that the winner has a preferred disorder.
We also have the following attacks that have been lodged in the near future, which can cause a large recasting in the ranking:
- Roman Dolidze (#8) vs Anthony Hernandez (#9) – UFC Vegas 109, August 9
- Jared Cannonier (#7) vs Michael 'Venom' Page – UFC 319, August 16
- Nassourdine Imavov (#1) vs Caio Borralho (#6) – UFC Paris, 6 September