Reinier de Ridder has made a striking ascent in the UFC, achieving three consecutive wins in just eight months, capped by a recent victory over former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker. The Dutch star, who has now broken into the middleweight top five, has expressed a strong desire to compete against Israel Adesanya. De Ridder acknowledged the impressive career of the Nigerian-born New Zealander, praising his elegant fighting style and defending his decision to call out ‘The Last Stylebender’ not out of animosity but respect.
In an interview with ‘Inside Fighting,’ de Ridder said,
“I greatly admire him because he has done so much in the sport. He still has the best record; he defeated Pereira in his last fight, and he fights so elegantly. For me, this is a more significant reason to have a fight rather than with a guy who demands it on the basis that he simply hates me.”
—Reinier de Ridder
Chael Sonnen Questions the Timing of De Ridder’s Call-Out
Despite de Ridder’s enthusiasm, former UFC contender Chael Sonnen has expressed doubts about the wisdom of this matchup at the present moment. On his YouTube channel, Sonnen criticized the choice, highlighting that Israel Adesanya remains trapped in a losing streak and is not in contender form. Sonnen emphasized that top contenders fight each other, and beating Adesanya right now would not guarantee a number one contender status for de Ridder.
Sonnen explained,
“He calls out Israel Adesanya, but he got more specific. It was a great call out, but it was the wrong guy. He calls for Izzy, and then he goes a step further, which most fighters don’t have the wherewithal to do. He called for a date. I will meet you in November in New York. There’s only 5 W’s to a story. Who, what, when, why, and where. Now he covered three of them, but he didn’t include the why, right?”
—Chael Sonnen
He further added,
“Number one contenders fight. And the only reason that’s a problem is that beating Adesanya doesn’t make you a number one contender. But there’s also a representation that DDR is not understanding where he’s at. He’s coming off two of the biggest wins, only behind in my mind Ilia Topuria. And Izzy is not in that spot, and he is not ranked in that spot.”
—Chael Sonnen
Sonnen’s perspective suggests that while de Ridder’s recent victories have propelled him up the rankings, Israel Adesanya’s current struggles indicate the timing may be off for this high-profile encounter.
De Ridder’s Position in Middleweight Rankings and Title Aspirations
Currently ranked fifth in the middleweight division, Reinier de Ridder has rapidly positioned himself as a viable title contender. His impressive string of wins, including stoppages in three of four fights over nine months, has thrust him into the middleweight conversation. However, the division remains crowded with talent, featuring top contenders like Dricus Du Plessis, Khamzat Chimaev, Caio Borralho, and Nassourdine Imavov all vying for title opportunities. The winner of the upcoming championship fight between Du Plessis and Chimaev will likely face significant challenges from other contenders, including de Ridder.
With this in mind, de Ridder seems to be weighing his options carefully, not solely focusing on Israel Adesanya but also considering other top-ranked fighters as potential next opponents. Speaking on the UFC Fight Night post-show, de Ridder outlined his outlook for future fights.
He stated,
“Crazy year. Four fights, three finishes, almost finished Rob. Life is good, I’m a top-five guy now. So, yeah, I would say Dricus, I would say Khamzat (next). … I’m thinking of Dricus (winning at UFC 319). He has the Dutch genes, like me. I think Dricus, but we’ll see.”
—Reinier de Ridder
At 34 years old, de Ridder’s momentum is clear, but with a competitive division and elite contenders lined up, the path to the title requires both strategic matchmaking and continued victories.
The Middleweight Division’s Increasing Competitiveness
The middleweight landscape is intensifying as established fighters and rising stars contest for supremacy. Israel Adesanya, once dominant as a two-time champion, is navigating a challenging stretch marked by a three–fight losing streak, creating uncertainty about his immediate standing in the title race. Meanwhile, contenders like Ilia Topuria and the swiftly ascending de Ridder are seizing the opportunity to climb the ranks.
The upcoming championship bout between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev adds further intrigue, as both fighters have strong fan bases and elite skill sets that make the division more unpredictable than ever. This makes every matchmaking decision critical, especially when considering high-stakes fights involving former champions like Adesanya.
Implications of De Ridder’s Challenge to Adesanya
De Ridder’s public call-out of Israel Adesanya brings significant attention to his career trajectory and the middleweight division‘s evolving hierarchy. While fans and fighters alike anticipate potential matchups involving ‘The Last Stylebender,’ industry insiders urge caution, highlighting the risks of matchups that may not align with current contender statuses. If de Ridder does face Adesanya and wins, questions would remain about whether that victory suffices for a direct title shot, given the division’s depth and the weight of recent losses on Adesanya’s record.
Ultimately, the UFC faces decisions that will shape the title picture in 2025 and beyond. Whether de Ridder’s gamble pays off or results in a setback, his rapid rise and confidence make him a figure to watch. Meanwhile, Israel Adesanya’s comeback efforts will be scrutinized closely as he seeks to regain his place among the elite middleweights.