Fresh off his win over Bo Nickal, Reinier de Ridder is making headlines again but not just for what happened inside the cage.
The Dutch fighter, now undefeated in the UFC, found himself the subject of a not-so-subtle jab from his former promotion, ONE Championship. Shortly after de Ridder’s dominant showing at UFC Des Moines, the Singapore-based organization posted a video replay of his 2022 knockout loss to Anatoly Malykhin—the only blemish on his otherwise stellar career.
“Anatoly Malykhin put his destructive power on full display,” the now-deleted tweet read.
De Ridder wasn’t even aware of the post until it had already been taken down. But when told about it, he didn’t hold back.
“That’s a typical ONE thing to do,” he said during post-fight interviews. “They’re some interesting people over there. Let’s just keep it at that.”
A Fighter Reborn in the UFC
De Ridder’s move to the UFC was driven by frustration. Between 2023 and 2024, he only fought once under the ONE banner. The lack of activity stalled his momentum, and the former two-division champ had enough.
“If you’re thinking of signing with ONE Championship, don’t,” he warned.
Now 3–0 in the UFC, de Ridder looks rejuvenated—sharper, hungrier, and more vocal. His next test? A highly anticipated matchup against former middleweight king Robert Whittaker in July.
Respect Beyond the Drama
Despite the shade from his old employer, de Ridder remains on good terms with Malykhin.
“He’s a good guy,” de Ridder said. “There’s nothing wrong with the dude. He even messaged me after this fight—respect.”
It’s a telling contrast: while organizations may clash, the fighters themselves often maintain mutual respect.
What’s Next for “The Dutch Knight”?
Reinier de Ridder has proven he belongs among the elite. After silencing doubters with a clean sweep over Bo Nickal, a win over Whittaker would put him in title contention.
ONE Championship may have tried to undermine his moment but the UFC platform has given him a much louder voice.
