Reinier de Ridder has stirred the MMA world by dismissing the UFC Paris main event and setting his sights on Khamzat Chimaev’s UFC middleweight champion title. With UFC Vancouver scheduled for October 18, 2025, de Ridder is preparing to face Anthony Hernandez, while the UFC Paris card on September 6 is headlined by Caio Borralho and Nassourdine Imavov. De Ridder’s bold comments and upcoming fight have intensified speculation about who will challenge Chimaev next.
De Ridder Challenges UFC Paris Top Contenders
Reinier de Ridder recently expressed skepticism regarding the UFC Paris main event featuring Caio Borralho and Nassourdine Imavov. In a candid interview with MMA Fighting, the Dutch fighter downplayed the Paris headliners’ immediate relevance to his own title ambitions. Reflecting on their status, de Ridder said,
“I kind of agree. They can have a title shot against me in a couple of months after.” —Reinier de Ridder, Fighter
He continued,
“Let’s not look too far ahead. Both of them are great fighters. I was looking at Caio’s record, but he hasn’t fought in the last year, I believe. I’m not sure he deserves it, but Imavov is definitely the guy. He deserves it.” —Reinier de Ridder, Fighter
Though de Ridder acknowledged Nassourdine Imavov’s merit, especially following Imavov’s February 2025 knockout of a middleweight legend at UFC Abu Dhabi, he retains confidence in his own chances to challenge Khamzat Chimaev. De Ridder added,
“And there are a lot more guys who deserve it, too. But hopefully, I have enough people in my camp who believe what I believe in, that I have a good shot at making it a great fight. And it would be awesome if they did it in Abu Dhabi.” —Reinier de Ridder, Fighter
UFC Scheduling Confusion and Upcoming Matchups
UFC president Dana White announced that Reinier de Ridder will headline UFC Vancouver on October 18 against Anthony Hernandez. This scheduling seemed surprising to many, given that the UFC Paris card on September 6 is already framed as a critical middleweight eliminator between Caio Borralho and Nassourdine Imavov. White hinted that both main events hold significant implications for future title shots but did not clarify the timeline or hierarchy between these contenders.
Meanwhile, Khamzat Chimaev, the newly crowned middleweight champion since UFC 319, remains the focal point of all conversations. Chimaev dominated Dricus du Plessis with a flawless performance across five rounds, cementing his reputation as the best 185-pound fighter globally. Though Chimaev has expressed a preference to compete at UFC Abu Dhabi, the November 2025 event‘s middleweight title fight is already booked between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane in the heavyweight division, leaving limited room for immediate title defenses at that venue.
Khamzat Chimaev Publicly Calls Out Reinier de Ridder
Following his decisive UFC 319 victory, Khamzat Chimaev took to social media to openly challenge Reinier de Ridder. His callout was direct and unmistakable, tagging de Ridder with a skull emoji — a clear declaration of intent. This public challenge has amplified the spotlight on de Ridder, who is already gaining attention as one of the most promising contenders in the middleweight division.
De Ridder’s recent performances, especially his razor-thin decision win against former champion Robert Whittaker, have earned him growing respect within the MMA community. Commentators like Joe Rogan have pointed out de Ridder’s distinctive use of knees as a unique weapon that could trouble Chimaev inside the Octagon. Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping has also recognized de Ridder’s potential to be a serious threat to Chimaev.
However, before a fight between Chimaev and de Ridder can be confirmed, Reinier de Ridder must first secure a victory against Anthony Hernandez at UFC Vancouver. A win there would significantly strengthen his claim as a top contender but may not guarantee an immediate title shot due to scheduling and existing rivalries.
Significance of De Ridder’s Challenge in the Middleweight Division
Reinier de Ridder’s confident dismissal of the UFC Paris main event and his public readiness to face Khamzat Chimaev signal a potentially dramatic shift in the middleweight title picture. By questioning both Caio Borralho’s recent activity and recognizing Nassourdine Imavov’s standing — while positioning himself as the worthy challenger — de Ridder fuels speculation that the UFC’s middleweight division is entering a highly competitive phase.
Chimaev’s social media callout adds further intensity to the growing anticipation surrounding the division’s future. With backing from prominent voices in MMA and increasing fan interest, de Ridder’s upcoming bout against Hernandez will likely be viewed as a pivotal moment in establishing the next contender for Chimaev’s championship belt.
The middleweight division, known for its deep talent pool and fierce competition, could see a compelling new rivalry emerge. Fans and analysts alike will be closely watching the UFC Vancouver card, and if de Ridder’s performance confirms his promise, a showdown with Khamzat Chimaev might not be far behind.
For Khamzat Chimaev, retaining the UFC middleweight champion title against a rising star like de Ridder would solidify his legacy as one of the division’s dominant forces. For Reinier de Ridder, the match represents a chance to prove his place at the sport’s highest level and potentially disrupt Chimaev’s reign.