Following Khamzat Chimaev’s dominant victory over Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319, Reinier de Ridder expresses confidence in his ability to challenge the newly crowned middleweight champion across all facets of MMA. De Ridder believes his diverse skill set makes him a formidable contender capable of matching Chimaev’s prowess inside the octagon.
After Chimaev’s dominant wrestling display at the United Center, attention has shifted toward skilled grapplers such as ‘The Dutch Knight’ and Anthony Hernandez, who are seen as potential threats to the middleweight crown. De Ridder recently shared his strategy for facing the Chechen-born Emirati fighter during an appearance on the Pound-for-Pound podcast, emphasizing his submission skills as a key advantage.
He stated,
“I think the main thing is if it goes to the ground, if he takes me down great, if I take him down great, and if it’s on the feet great. I think there is not an area that we can go to in the fight that’s going to be bad for me. I’d be happy if he is on top and I can play guard. I have some nice tricks from the bottom. I’d be happy if I were on top. I have some nice tricks from the top. And standing up, I feel like I can hang with him as well.”
—Reinier de Ridder, MMA Fighter
De Ridder further explained how he plans to apply pressure and seek a finish against Chimaev, saying,
“So, what I do is the same thing I always do. Put the pressure on, see if I can get in the clinch and hurt him there. Take him down, see if I can get the choke. That’s what I do.”
—Reinier de Ridder, MMA Fighter
A Potential Grappling Showdown between Two Middleweight Specialists
Both Khamzat Chimaev and Reinier de Ridder are regarded among the most skilled grapplers in the middleweight division, with de Ridder describing a possible matchup as a grappling contest to remember. Speaking to Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie, the former two-division One Championship titleholder underscored his confidence in handling any grappling situation Chimaev could present.
De Ridder remarked,
“I think I can do well in all the positions, if I end up on bottom, [or] if I end up on top. I believe I have a lot to show in that fight, and I think it could be like a grappling fight for the ages. Our styles match up very cool. I believe it could be a very awesome fight, yeah.”
—Reinier de Ridder, MMA Fighter
This fight is anticipated to attract significant attention due to the complementary wrestling and submission skills both athletes bring. De Ridder’s versatility—being comfortable on top, bottom, or standing—positions him as a unique challenger who aims to disrupt Chimaev’s recent momentum.
With Chimaev’s rise marked by dominant takedowns and pressure, de Ridder’s gameplan revolves around constant offensive engagement, focusing on clinch control and submission attempts as pathways to victory. This approach highlights his resilience and tactical awareness as he prepares for a potential encounter.
As fans and analysts keep watch on developments in the middleweight ranks, a clash between Reinier de Ridder and Khamzat Chimaev promises an intense and meaningful contest that could redefine the division’s hierarchy. Both fighters’ strengths in grappling and striking are likely to deliver a dynamic and technical battle that MMA followers eagerly await.