New UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev has become the center of attention in the MMA world following his dominant showing at UFC 319. The Chechen fighter now faces a slew of challengers aiming for his belt, with Dutch contender Reinier De Ridder stepping forward to stake his claim for the next title fight. The recent Reinier De Ridder title challenge has ignited a heated exchange between the two grappling specialists.
Reinier De Ridder Issues Bold Challenge After Chimaev’s UFC 319 Triumph
Reinier De Ridder took to social media after UFC 319, where Chimaev delivered a masterclass in grappling against Dricus Du Plessis in Chicago. While congratulating the new champion, De Ridder confidently declared that he embodies “true grappling dominance” and urged Chimaev to finalize the contract for their showdown. The Dutch fighter’s challenge highlights his eagerness to test himself against the UFC’s latest middleweight king.
Khamzat did not shy away from responding, delivering a sharp warning:
“I’m gonna make you look like white belt habibi”
— Khamzat Chimaev via X
His words reflect the fierce competitiveness and intensity surrounding this potential matchup.
De Ridder’s Ground Game and MMA Credentials
Reinier De Ridder’s grappling acumen is well proven, having accumulated almost 70% of his victories via submission techniques. His MMA record boasts 21 wins and just 2 losses, underscoring his effectiveness on the mat. Before joining UFC in 2024, De Ridder earned acclaim as a double champion in ONE Championship by capturing both the middleweight and light heavyweight titles. Although he lost these belts to Anatoly Malykhin, his credentials remain formidable.
De Ridder’s style is grounded in judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, favoring precise positional control and submission attempts, especially chokes, over aggressive ground-and-pound tactics. His approach contrasts with Chimaev’s fast-paced wrestling and relentless pressure, which focuses on quick takedowns and dynamic ground strikes to overwhelm opponents.
Contrasting Grappling Styles Between Chimaev and De Ridder
Khamzat Chimaev employs rapid-fire wrestling combined with chain takedowns and punishing ground-and-pound, aiming to dominate his opponents swiftly through force and speed. In contrast, De Ridder uses a calculated, methodical grappling style, relying on technical expertise to control opponents and methodically hunt for submissions. The clash of these distinct approaches would make a clash between them a compelling stylistic battle.
Insights from Former UFC Champion Robert Whittaker
Robert Whittaker, a former UFC middleweight champion with firsthand experience competing against both fighters, offered his view of a possible matchup between Chimaev and De Ridder. Whittaker suffered a first-round submission defeat to Chimaev at UFC 308, during which he sustained a broken jaw. He also lost a split decision to De Ridder at UFC Abu Dhabi, a fight that served as a title shot eliminator for the Dutch grappler.
Whittaker acknowledged De Ridder’s strengths and described him as a slippery, jiu-jitsu-focused fighter who could pose serious challenges to Chimaev’s game plan:
“I think Reinier de Ridder has a good chance of winning the bout against Chimaev. The Dutchman trains in grappling. He is tall, and he knows quite a bit about jiu-jitsu. de Ridder is a very tall fighter and a jiu-jitsu specialist who likes to work on the ground. He spends a lot of time there and throws unexpected strikes. If Khamzat respects his actions on the ground, exchanges a few blows, the unusual attacks and strikes of de Ridder can cause Chimaev a lot of headaches.” — Robert Whittaker via Zamin.uz
Whittaker also highlighted Gilbert Burns as Chimaev’s toughest opponent to date, praising Burns’ mastery of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and how he provided “durinho” (Burns’ nickname) a competitive fight. Whittaker suggested that De Ridder might employ a similar strategy based on technical grappling if he faces Chimaev, opting for patient control and submission attempts over outright aggression.
What Lies Ahead for This Potential Title Clash?
As anticipation builds for a possible showdown between Khamzat Chimaev and Reinier De Ridder, MMA fans and analysts remain uncertain if the bout will materialize in the near future. Both fighters excel in grappling but offer contrasting philosophies—Chimaev’s aggressive, pressure-heavy style versus De Ridder’s precise, submission-oriented approach. The matchup would not only test their distinct skill sets but also pose the question of whether forceful dominance or calculated technique will prevail at the highest level.
The outcome of a fight between these two grapplers could shape the trajectory of the UFC middleweight division, pitting two of the most promising fighters against each other in what promises to be a technical and strategic battle. For now, the exchange of challenges and counter-challenges continues, adding to the excitement and uncertainty surrounding the division’s next chapter.