Reinier de Ridder’s Next Move: Who’s Waiting in the Middleweight Division?
In the co-main event of UFC Fight Night Des Moines, Reinier de Ridder stepped into the Octagon against Bo Nickal in a thrilling Middleweight showdown. Despite entering the fight as the ranked contender, de Ridder was a heavy underdog against the former NCAA wrestling champion. However, he surprised the crowd with slick grappling exchanges, sharp striking, and ultimately secured a stunning finish. Now, the question is: what’s next for Reinier de Ridder, and can his unique skill set push him toward title contention?
De Ridder’s résumé speaks for itself. Holding a professional MMA record of 20-2, the former two-division champion from ONE Championship made his UFC debut last year and remains undefeated in the promotion, with victories over tough competitors like Kevin Holland and Bo Nickal. Known for his elite grappling and dangerous submission game, most of his wins have come by way of submission, making him one of the most dangerous ground specialists in the division. That said, there are still areas in de Ridder’s game that need fine-tuning as he climbs the rankings. Even though he earned a knockout victory with a brutal knee to the body against Nickal, his striking defense remains a concern. Currently holding only a 44% striking defense rate in the UFC, it has been exposed in his previous fights. De Ridder absorbed a fair amount of damage in his bouts specifically against Gerald Meerschaert which ended up being a very close fight. With knockout artists waiting further up the Middleweight ladder, this could pose a problem moving forward.
Following his huge win, de Ridder is likely to find himself facing a top-10 opponent in the Middleweight Division next. A potential matchup that makes sense is against Jared Cannonier. Known for his powerful striking and solid takedown defense, Cannonier would provide a tough, well-rounded test for de Ridder, especially in areas where he’s shown vulnerabilities. A win against Cannonier would improve Ridder’s legacy in the UFC and make him one step closer toward title contention. After a breakout performance in Des Moines, big things could be on the horizon for Reinier de Ridder, and fans will be eager to see if he can keep his momentum going in a stacked Middleweight Division.
