Reinier de Ridder had quite a lot of causes he wished to signal with the UFC after leaving ONE Championship however staying busy may sit close to the highest of his checklist.
After he was shelved for all of 2023 with just one battle booked in 2024, the previous two-division champion was glad to depart the Singapore based mostly promotion so he may start working in the direction of a way more lively schedule together with his new preventing residence. He didn’t have to attend lengthy after inking his cope with his first battle booked on Saturday in opposition to fellow grappler Gerald Meerschaert in a featured bout at UFC Vegas 100.
Clearly, de Ridder was very glad to know the UFC plans to maintain him busy and now it’s his job to point out the promotion he was well worth the funding.
“That’s one of many main plusses [signing with UFC],” de Ridder informed MMA Combating. “I even began calling out heavyweights [in ONE Championship] as a result of there have been no fights. I’m not making that mistake once more. Hopefully, I’m going to make it a gorgeous 12 months.
“It’s loopy. For some motive, the celebrities appear to be aligning. Now I simply have to knock it out of the park.”
Whereas his solely actual focus stays on Meerschaert this Saturday, de Ridder addressed the remainder of the middleweight division with hopes to leap within the deep finish of the division sooner quite than later.
At the same time as an observer from exterior the promotion, de Ridder at all times saved a watchful eye on the UFC and he is aware of there are many potential matchups awaiting him.
“Hopefully after this, I’m trying to make a press release on this battle, announce my becoming a member of the UFC with a pleasant efficiency after which hopefully I’ll get a crack at some high degree guys,” de Ridder stated. “There’s so many good guys.
“Like [Sean] Strickland, like [Israel] Adesanya, Dricus [du Plessis], we’ve got some historical past. I fought in the identical group he did. Didn’t get an opportunity to battle him at that time so hopefully it’s going to be on the largest stage this time. However even like all the high 10 are filled with killers. There’s quite a lot of guys which have seen some inactivity. Line them up.”
There are a few names specifically within the UFC which have drawn de Ridder’s curiosity simply because it’s an opportunity to check his grappling in opposition to different high notch floor specialists.
In reality, de Ridder positively plans on watching UFC 309, which takes place one week after his debut, when multi-time NCAA champion wrestler Bo Nickal makes his fourth look for the promotion after going 3-0 with three finishes to start out his profession.
Nickal is slated to face Paul Craig in a featured bout on the pay-per-view foremost card and whereas de Ridder actually doesn’t have any in poor health will in the direction of the veteran Scotsman, he can’t assist however throw out a suggestion that he’d be able to step in on brief discover if the chance was offered to him.
“Khamzat [Chimaev] and Bo Nickal would each be wonderful,” de Ridder stated. “[Bo Nickal] is likely to be a pleasant subsequent step. So perhaps we do one thing to Paul Craig, distract him a bit bit and leap in?
“That’s a enjoyable one, proper? I’m down for that. So Paul Craig, take a hike.”
All jokes apart, de Ridder believes these sorts of choices are actually out there to him within the UFC however first issues first he has to get by way of Meerschaert on Saturday.
When that was the provide made for his debut, de Ridder didn’t hesitate to say sure though it really interrupted the plans he made for his coaching camp to prepare for his first battle within the UFC.
“I used to be fairly acquainted [with Gerald] as a result of I’ve been coaching with him for a bit bit,” de Ridder revealed. “I do know what he brings to the desk.
“I used to be planning to spend my camp in Miami with Henri [Hooft] and the fellows [at Kill Cliff FC] however then after I acquired the identify, I needed to ship Henri a textual content that he is likely to be the flawed nook once more.”
On paper this is likely to be a grappler’s dream match between two prolific submission specialists, though many occasions these sorts of fights find yourself turning into placing affairs.
De Ridder is prepared for no matter will get thrown at him however he guarantees in some unspecified time in the future he’s going to check his grappling abilities in opposition to Meerschaert.
“I have to [take this fight down to the canvas],” de Ridder defined. “I have to signify jiu-jitsu so I’m going to try to hit him with some good pictures but it surely’s going to go to the bottom, 100%.”
