Reinier De Ridder Bio
Reinier De Ridder, born September 7, 1990, is a Dutch professional mixed martial artist competing in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is a former ONE Middleweight and Light Heavyweight World Champion, known for holding two titles simultaneously in ONE Championship. As of October 21, 2025, De Ridder is ranked #8 in the UFC middleweight rankings.
Early Life and Background
Reinier De Ridder was born in Tilburg, Netherlands, and currently resides in Breda, Netherlands. He began practicing judo at the age of six and earned a black belt during his teenage years. After high school, De Ridder started training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu while attending college and also achieved a black belt in this discipline. Alongside his fighting career, he owns a physical therapy clinic in Breda, balancing his professional and athletic commitments.
Path to MMA
De Ridder started his amateur MMA career in 2013, winning his first fight by first-round submission. He made his professional debut the same year, securing a victory with a first-round triangle choke. He built momentum with a seven-fight winning streak, all ending in stoppages. His success earned him a shot at the Middleweight title in HIT FC, which he won by first-round rear-naked choke. After another quick victory, he received offers from both UFC and ONE Championship, choosing ONE for better contract terms.
Reinier De Ridder Career
Early Career (2013–2018)
De Ridder’s early professional career was marked by rapid success, with multiple submission victories showcasing his grappling skills. His black belts in judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu contributed heavily to his fighting style. Winning the HIT FC Middleweight Championship established him as a rising talent in the sport. His performances attracted attention from major promotions, leading to his signing with ONE Championship.
ONE Championship Breakthrough (2019–2023)
De Ridder debuted in ONE Championship on January 25, 2019, defeating Fan Rong by first-round submission. He followed this with notable wins including a knockout of Gilberto Galvao and a decision victory over Leandro Ataides. On October 30, 2020, he captured the ONE Middleweight World Championship by submitting Aung La Nsang in the first round. In April 2021, De Ridder became ONE’s Light Heavyweight World Champion by defeating Aung La Nsang again via unanimous decision, becoming the third fighter in ONE history to hold two titles simultaneously.
He successfully defended his middleweight title multiple times, including a submission win over Kiamrian Abbasov and an inverted triangle choke finish against Vitaly Bigdash, earning Performance of the Night honors. De Ridder also competed in submission grappling matches, including a draw against André Galvão and a close decision loss to Tye Ruotolo. His reign faced challenges when he lost the light heavyweight title to Anatoly Malykhin by knockout in December 2022 and later lost the middleweight title to Malykhin by technical knockout in March 2024.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Era (2024–Present)
In September 2024, De Ridder signed with the UFC. He won his debut fight against Gerald Meerschaert by arm-triangle choke submission. In January 2025, he submitted Kevin Holland with a rear-naked choke in the first round. De Ridder secured a technical knockout victory over Bo Nickal in May 2025, marking Nickal’s first MMA loss and earning De Ridder his first UFC Performance of the Night award. In July 2025, he defeated former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker by split decision. De Ridder was scheduled to face Anthony Hernandez in October 2025, but after Hernandez withdrew due to injury, Brendan Allen replaced him. De Ridder lost to Allen via technical knockout late in the fourth round.
Driving Style and Strengths
Reinier De Ridder is known for his exceptional grappling ability, leveraging his black belts in judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to control opponents and secure submissions. His long reach and height advantage complement his ground game, while his strategic approach allows him to adapt to different opponents. De Ridder’s partnership with the Combat Brothers team has been instrumental in refining his skills and fight preparation.
Notable Events and Milestones
De Ridder’s career highlights include becoming the third two-division champion in ONE Championship history and successfully defending his titles multiple times. His victory over Bo Nickal in the UFC was a significant milestone, as Nickal was undefeated in MMA prior to their bout. De Ridder’s ability to finish fights by submission has been a defining characteristic throughout his career.
Reinier De Ridder Career Wins
Reinier De Ridder has amassed a professional record of 21 wins and 3 losses, with 13 of those wins coming by submission. His career showcases a strong grappling foundation and finishing ability across multiple weight divisions.
ONE Championship Highlights
During his tenure in ONE Championship, De Ridder secured both the Middleweight and Light Heavyweight World Championships. He earned his first title by submitting Aung La Nsang and later claimed the light heavyweight belt by decision. His title defenses included notable submission victories and earned him Performance of the Night awards. De Ridder’s reign as a two-division champion solidified his status as one of the promotion’s top fighters.
Other Wins & Performances
Before joining major promotions, De Ridder won the HIT FC Middleweight title and maintained a strong winning streak with multiple stoppages. His grappling accolades include a silver medal at the European Jiu-Jitsu Championship in 2016 and competitive matches against top submission grapplers in superfights.
Reinier De Ridder Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about Reinier De Ridder’s family background are not publicly documented.
Personal Life
Reinier De Ridder maintains a private personal life with no publicly available information about his marital status or children. He balances his fighting career with managing a physical therapy clinic in Breda.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Reinier De Ridder continued to establish himself in the UFC middleweight division with key victories over Gerald Meerschaert, Kevin Holland, Bo Nickal, and Robert Whittaker. His win over Nickal was particularly notable, earning him a Performance of the Night award. Despite a setback in October 2025 against Brendan Allen due to a technical knockout loss, De Ridder remains a top contender. His partnership with the Combat Brothers and ongoing development suggest a promising outlook for future seasons.