This past Wednesday, it was reported the former ONE Championship double champion, Reinier de Ridder had signed a multi-fight contract with the UFC after years of fans calling for the promotion to sign him.
For several years whilst at the pinnacle of his game in ONE Championship, Reinier de Ridder was considered the best middleweight in MMA and fans salivated at the prospect of a fight between him and then UFC champion, Israel Adesanya.
Although for years it was a pipeline dream to see ‘The Dutch Knight’ fighting under the UFC banner, because of recent contractual issues involving ONE Championship, the 34-year-old finally got the call.
Reinier de Ridder talks upcoming UFC debut against Gerald Meerschaert
When it was announced that the Dutchman was signing with the promotional powerhouse, there was no debut date or opponent announced for him.
However, not long after, it was announced by Marcel Dorff that the newcomer would debut against the middleweight record holder for most finishes, Gerald Meerschaert.
“I’m very happy that this fight got offered to me right away, I’ve had a little bit of an opportunity to train with Gerald in Miami… It’s a good one to kick this run off with and hopefully, I’ll finally get the activity I’m craving,” de Ridder told MMA Junkie.
The fight announcement came as a surprise to some who thought that the UFC may fast-track the Dutchman similar to how they did with Michael ‘Venom’ Page.
Despite having to get through ‘GM3’ first, ‘The Dutch Knight’ is hopeful that he will get to share the cage with the likes of Adesanya, Sean Strickland, and Dricus Du Plessis.
“Let’s go, I’m ready (to fight the likes of Adesanya), that’s what I’m here for it would be so cool to finally get a shot at those guys,” the Dutchman continued.
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Reinier de Ridder details what it was like to spar Dricus Du Plessis
Whilst on the regional scene, there were talks of de Ridder possibly getting a fight against Du Plessis when they both fought in EFC.
Although the fight never came to fruition, the two did get some time in training together and the 34-year-old has detailed what it was like to spar the current UFC middleweight champion.
“I’ve known Dricus for a long time… I’ve trained with him a little bit at Sanford (MMA) as well, Henri Hooft’s place… Kind of like what I was saying about Gerald, (his fight style) looks very awkward and this is what I got from sparring with him as well.
“He kicks from crazy angles, and his legs are in a weird position but he kind of gets you with it sometimes. Kind of like Gerald as well, he’s very durable, can take a hell of a punch as we saw in the Strickland fight,” de Ridder explained.
The former double champion’s UFC debut takes place on November 9, at the UFC’s Fight Night event at the Apex.