Reinier de Ridder, after signing with the UFC, aims to advance toward title contention by defeating Bo Nickal, while expressing insights and predictions about the upcoming middleweight title fight between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev, both of whom he has trained with.
Reinier de Ridder isn’t wasting any time after signing with the UFC. His co-main event against Bo Nickal at UFC Des Moines could edge him closer to title contention with a win.
Already 2-0 in the UFC, de Ridder, a former two-division ONE champion, aims to defeat one of the sport’s brightest prospects. This victory might be more significant than beating a higher-ranked opponent.
While he knows one more win won’t secure a title shot, he believes beating Nickal will place him among potential contenders. These contenders will vie for a chance to face the winner of the middleweight title fight between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev.
“That’s what I’m thinking,” de Ridder shared with MMA Fighting. “A lot of guys at the top have already fought each other. If I can do this right, choke him out early, I think I have something to say.”
As a middleweight climbing the ranks, de Ridder has a keen interest in the du Plessis vs. Chimaev title fight, which awaits a date in 2025.
But it’s not just about potential matchups; de Ridder has trained with both du Plessis and Chimaev. This gives him unique insights into how the fight might unfold.
“I’ve had some experience with both,” de Ridder said. “Khamzat will likely come out aggressive, but Dricus isn’t easy to take down. His footwork, though unconventional, is effective.”
De Ridder doesn’t foresee Khamzat taking Dricus down immediately. “I don’t see Khamzat choking him out in the first round,” he added.
If Chimaev fails to finish early, de Ridder expects du Plessis to gain momentum. “Every round he doesn’t choke him out is going to get worse for him,” de Ridder noted. Dricus’s unorthodox style and heavy hands could make it a long night for Khamzat.
Since joining the UFC, du Plessis has consistently surprised opponents despite his non-traditional techniques. His unpredictability makes him a challenging matchup.
“He keeps going,” de Ridder said. “Even when he looks exhausted, he remains strong and explosive. I’m going with Dricus, but Khamzat would be cool, too, if he wins. But I think Dricus has a good chance.”
Years ago, before their UFC days, de Ridder and du Plessis were in the same regional organization but never fought. They eventually trained together, and de Ridder holds high regard for du Plessis.
“Dricus is a good dude,” de Ridder said. “I understand him in Afrikaans. He’s like his fighting style—ADHD, all over the place—but very nice, very friendly. That would be a cool fight down the line.”