Reinier De Ridder Bio
Reinier De Ridder (born September 7, 1990) is a Dutch professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Nicknamed “The Dutch Knight” and also known by his initials RdR, he is widely recognized as one of the most accomplished European fighters of his generation. As of October 21, 2025, he is ranked #8 in the UFC middleweight rankings.
De Ridder first gained global attention in ONE Championship, where he became both the ONE Middleweight World Champion and the ONE Light Heavyweight World Champion. He was the third simultaneous two-division champion in ONE history. Standing 193 cm tall with a 201 cm reach, he combines a physical therapy background with elite grappling credentials, holding black belts in both Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Early Life and Background
Reinier De Ridder was born on September 7, 1990, in Tilburg, Netherlands, and currently resides in Breda, Netherlands. He began training in Judo at the age of six, building a grappling foundation that would later define his fighting style. He earned a Judo black belt while still in his teens, an early marker of his dedication to martial arts.
After completing high school, De Ridder attended college and began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu alongside his studies. His commitment to the art paid off when he eventually earned a BJJ black belt. Outside of fighting, he owns and operates a physical therapy clinic in Breda, where he balances professional responsibilities with his ongoing training schedule.
His early immersion in Judo and BJJ gave him a strong grappling base, which became the centerpiece of his mixed martial arts approach. The combination of judo throws, positional control, and submission expertise has been a defining feature of his career from the very beginning.
Path to MMA
De Ridder had his first amateur fight in 2013, winning by first-round submission, before making his professional MMA debut later that year with another first-round triangle choke victory. He quickly built momentum, rattling off seven consecutive wins, all of which ended in stoppages. That streak earned him a shot at the Middleweight title in the regional promotion HIT FC, which he captured with a first-round rear-naked choke.
After winning his next bout in under two minutes, De Ridder attracted interest from major global organizations, including the UFC and ONE FC. He chose to sign with ONE Championship, citing better contractual terms. In 2016, he also won a silver medal at the European Jiu-Jitsu Championship, further cementing his reputation as a top-tier grappler.
Reinier De Ridder Career
Early Career (2013-2018)
De Ridder’s professional career began in 2013 with a string of submission finishes that quickly established him as a finisher. His seven-fight winning streak, all ending in stoppages, demonstrated his ability to end fights on the ground. His capture of the HIT FC Middleweight title marked his arrival as a champion-caliber fighter in the regional scene.
These developmental years allowed him to refine his grappling-heavy style and build a record that would attract international attention. By the time he signed with ONE Championship in 2019, he had already developed into a polished finisher with a strong submission arsenal.
ONE Championship Breakthrough (2019-2024)
De Ridder made his ONE debut at ONE: Hero’s Ascent on January 25, 2019, against Fan Rong, winning by first-round submission. He followed that with a second-round knockout of Gilberto Galvao at ONE: Legendary Quest and a hard-fought decision win over former title contender Leandro Ataides at ONE: Warrior’s Code. These early victories set the tone for his dominant run in the promotion.
On October 30, 2020, at ONE: Inside the Matrix, De Ridder faced Aung La Nsang for the ONE Middleweight World Championship and won by first-round submission to claim the title. He then stepped in on short notice for a rematch with Aung La Nsang at ONE on TNT 4 on April 28, 2021, this time for the ONE Light Heavyweight World Championship, and won by unanimous decision. That victory made him the third simultaneous two-division champion in ONE history.
De Ridder successfully defended the middleweight title against Kiamrian Abbasov at ONE: Full Circle on February 25, 2022, finishing the bout with an arm-triangle choke in the third round to earn a Performance of the Night award. He defended the belt again against Vitaly Bigdash at ONE 159 on July 22, 2022, winning via inverted triangle choke in the first round for another Performance of the Night. His reign came to an end on December 3, 2022, at ONE on Prime Video 5, when Anatoly Malykhin knocked him out in the first round to take the light heavyweight title. A rematch for the middleweight title at ONE 166 on March 1, 2024, ended in a third-round technical knockout loss.
UFC Era (2024-Present)
On September 24, 2024, it was announced that De Ridder had signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He made his UFC debut against Gerald Meerschaert on November 9, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 247, winning by arm-triangle choke in the third round. He then submitted Kevin Holland via rear naked choke in the first round at UFC 311 on January 18, 2025.
On May 3, 2025, at UFC on ESPN 67, De Ridder faced three-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion Bo Nickal and won via second-round technical knockout with a knee to the body, becoming the first fighter to defeat Nickal in mixed martial arts. The performance earned him his first UFC Performance of the Night award. He followed that with a split decision win over former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker in the main event of UFC on ABC 9 on July 26, 2025, with nine of sixteen media outlets scoring the bout in his favor.
Driving Style and Strengths
De Ridder fights out of Combat Brothers and is known for a grappling-first style built on top control, threatening submissions, and chain wrestling. His judo background gives him strong clinch work and trips, while his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt allows him to attack a wide range of submissions, including rear naked chokes, arm-triangles, and inverted triangles. With a 201 cm reach and a calm, methodical pace, he often looks to drag opponents into extended grappling exchanges where his technical edge becomes decisive.
Notable Events and Milestones
De Ridder’s most notable milestone came in 2021 when he became the third simultaneous two-division champion in ONE Championship history. His 2025 victory over Bo Nickal stands out as a defining moment, making him the first fighter to beat the highly decorated wrestler in MMA. The split decision win over former champion Robert Whittaker further established his credentials as a top-tier middleweight contender.
Reinier De Ridder Career Wins
Across his professional career, Reinier De Ridder has compiled a record built largely on grappling finishes, with the majority of his victories coming by submission. His championship reigns in ONE Championship and his unbeaten UFC run through mid-2025 highlight his finishing ability and his consistency at the highest levels of the sport.
ONE Championship Highlights
De Ridder made an immediate impact in ONE, winning his first three promotional bouts, all by stoppage or decision, before capturing the middleweight title in 2020. He successfully defended the belt twice, both by submission, earning Performance of the Night awards for each defense. He also won the ONE Light Heavyweight World Championship in 2021, becoming a two-division titleholder.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside of ONE, De Ridder defeated Magomedmurad Khasaev via first-round TKO at UAE Warriors 51 on July 27, 2024. He also won a silver medal at the 2016 European Jiu-Jitsu Championship and returned to submission grappling at ONE X on March 26, 2022, against André Galvão, in a match ruled a draw.
Reinier De Ridder Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Reinier De Ridder was raised in the Netherlands and began his martial arts journey at six years old, an early start that shaped his future career. While specific details about his parents and family members are not publicly documented, his Dutch upbringing and early introduction to Judo reflect a structured and disciplined environment.
Personal Life
De Ridder resides in Breda, Netherlands, where he owns and operates a physical therapy clinic. He balances his professional career in healthcare with his duties as a professional fighter, training out of Combat Brothers. Public details about his marital status, spouse, or children are not widely available.
2025 Season Performance
Reinier De Ridder’s 2025 campaign in the UFC middleweight division has been one of the most impressive breakthrough years of his career. After opening the year with a first-round submission of Kevin Holland at UFC 311, he produced one of the year’s biggest upsets by stopping Bo Nickal in the second round at UFC on ESPN 67 in May. That victory earned him his first UFC Performance of the Night award and pushed him firmly into the middleweight title picture.
He continued his momentum in the main event of UFC on ABC 9 on July 26, 2025, defeating former champion Robert Whittaker by split decision. The win elevated him to a top ranking and confirmed his status as a legitimate title contender in the division.
De Ridder was originally scheduled to face Anthony Hernandez in the main event of UFC Fight Night 262 on October 18, 2025, but Hernandez withdrew due to injury and was replaced by Brendan Allen. De Ridder lost the bout by technical knockout at the end of the fourth round after he was unable to continue. As of October 21, 2025, he sits at #8 in the UFC middleweight rankings, and with several top contenders still ahead, his path back to a title shot remains open.