Reinier de Ridder The Dutch Knight

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Fighter bio

Reinier de Ridder – General Profile

Reinier de Ridder, nicknamed "The Dutch Knight," is a Dutch professional mixed martial artist competing in the UFC's middleweight division. Born on September 7, 1990, in Breda, Netherlands, de Ridder is renowned for his exceptional grappling skills and submission prowess. As of March 11, 2025, he is ranked #13 in the UFC middleweight rankings.

MMA Career

De Ridder began his professional MMA career in 2013, quickly establishing himself with a series of submission victories. He gained prominence in ONE Championship, where he became a two-division champion, holding both the middleweight and light heavyweight titles simultaneously. After a successful tenure in ONE, de Ridder signed with the UFC in September 2024. He made an impressive UFC debut by submitting Gerald Meerschaert in the third round on November 9, 2024. He continued his winning streak with a first-round rear-naked choke submission over Kevin Holland at UFC 311 on January 18, 2025. Most recently, de Ridder handed Bo Nickal his first professional loss via second-round TKO at UFC Des Moines on May 3, 2025.

Fighting Style

De Ridder is a southpaw fighter with a strong foundation in judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, holding black belts in both disciplines. His fighting style is characterized by relentless grappling, effective takedowns, and a diverse submission arsenal. With 13 of his 20 professional wins coming by submission, he is considered one of the most dangerous ground fighters in the division.

Personal Life

Outside the octagon, de Ridder is a physiotherapist and co-owns the Combat Brothers gym in Breda, Netherlands. He balances his professional fighting career with his role as a husband and father of two children.

Recent Developments

As of May 2025, de Ridder boasts a professional MMA record of 20 wins and 2 losses. His recent victory over Bo Nickal has solidified his position as a top contender in the UFC middleweight division. He is scheduled to face former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker in the main event of UFC on ABC 9 on July 26, 2025.