This previous Wednesday, it was reported the previous ONE Championship double champion, Reinier de Ridder had signed a multi-fight contract with the UFC after years of followers calling for the promotion to signal him.
For a number of years while on the pinnacle of his recreation in ONE Championship, Reinier de Ridder was thought of the perfect middleweight in MMA and followers salivated on the prospect of a battle between him after which UFC champion, Israel Adesanya.
Though for years it was a pipeline dream to see ‘The Dutch Knight’ combating beneath the UFC banner, due to latest contractual points involving ONE Championship, the 34-year-old lastly acquired the decision.
Reinier de Ridder talks upcoming UFC debut towards Gerald Meerschaert
When it was introduced that the Dutchman was signing with the promotional powerhouse, there was no debut date or opponent introduced for him.
Nonetheless, not lengthy after, it was introduced by Marcel Dorff that the newcomer would debut towards the middleweight report holder for many finishes, Gerald Meerschaert.
“I’m very completely happy that this battle acquired provided to me straight away, I’ve had just a little little bit of a possibility to coach with Gerald in Miami… It’s a very good one to kick this run off with and hopefully, I’ll lastly get the exercise I’m craving,” de Ridder informed MMA Junkie.
The battle announcement got here as a shock to some who thought that the UFC might fast-track the Dutchman much like how they did with Michael ‘Venom’ Web page.
Regardless of having to get by means of ‘GM3’ first, ‘The Dutch Knight’ is hopeful that he’ll get to share the cage with the likes of Adesanya, Sean Strickland, and Dricus Du Plessis.
“Let’s go, I’m prepared (to battle the likes of Adesanya), that’s what I’m right here for it will be so cool to lastly get a shot at these guys,” the Dutchman continued.
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Reinier de Ridder particulars what it was wish to spar Dricus Du Plessis
While on the regional scene, there have been talks of de Ridder presumably getting a battle towards Du Plessis once they each fought in EFC.
Though the battle by no means got here to fruition, the 2 did get a while in coaching collectively and the 34-year-old has detailed what it was wish to spar the present UFC middleweight champion.
“I’ve identified Dricus for a very long time… I’ve skilled with him just a little bit at Sanford (MMA) as properly, Henri Hooft’s place… Type of like what I used to be saying about Gerald, (his battle fashion) appears very awkward and that is what I acquired from sparring with him as properly.
“He kicks from loopy angles, and his legs are in a bizarre place however he sort of will get you with it typically. Type of like Gerald as properly, he’s very sturdy, can take a hell of a punch as we noticed within the Strickland battle,” de Ridder defined.
The previous double champion’s UFC debut takes place on November 9, on the UFC’s Battle Night time occasion on the Apex.
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