ONE Championship’s Reinier De Ridder is a once in a generation talent continuing to further his legacy.
An MMA career is usually a short one, fuelled by passion and ambition. Fighters chase after the success and the glory of winning championships. In such a competitive and cruel sport, very few achieve the success of being champion. Even fewer, the elite, are graced with the title Double Champion.
Only the elite of the elite have been uttered in the conversation of being Triple Champion. Here is where Reinier De Ridder enters the story.
Making History
In the last 12 months the Dutch Knight has turned a already impressive start to his career into a history making career.
Prior to his first Championship fight with Myanmar legend and ONE Championship fan favourite Aung La N Sang, De Ridder already boasted a impressive record of 12-0. Only once had he gone to decision against his previous opponent Leandro Ataides. It was this impressive display that put him into contention to face the Champion.
On the 30th of October 2020 at Inside the Matrix his wish was granted, after weeks of confidently stating that he was going to walk through the Champion.
He proved the doubters wrong after just 3 minutes 30 seconds of the very first round Reinier De Ridder had his hand raised.
Myanmar was stunned the Knight had dethroned the king and was crowned ONE Championship Middleweight Champion.
Some five months later on April 28, 2021 De Ridder made history stepping in on little over one weeks notice for Vitaly Bigdash who tested positive for Covid-19 against N Sang yet again.
The rematch was scheduled for ONE on TNT 4, ONE Championship first series of events aired live in USA.
This wasn’t just the first series of events on USA TV, it wasn’t just for the Light Heavyweight Championship and it wasn’t just to be double Champion it was to make history.
A win for De Ridder would make him the first Double Champion in MMA history to take both Championships from the same fighter.
Despite the fight going to decision, De Ridder managed to dominate the contest and captured his second World Championship.
The win saw De Ridder become Light Heavyweight champion and the first ever double Champion to beat the same opponent.
Reinier De Ridder Turning History into a Legacy
After defeating one of the biggest stars in ONE Championship twice taking both the belts.
It wouldn’t have come as a shock if De Ridder had played it safe by making a defense or two over the next 12 months. However, the Dutchman De Ridder has already set his sites on his next piece of gold.
In May 2021 Arjan Bhullar become India’ first Heavyweight Champion at ONE Championship defeating veteran Brandon Vera and winning Heavyweight Gold.
De Ridder congratulated Bhullar on his success and proceeded issue a challenge to the Champion saying he would finish him in two.
Could we be about to witness De Ridder make more history and become the first Triple Champion in a major MMA promotion?
One thing is for sure you would have to be a very brave man to bet against the undefeated Double Champion on achieving whatever he sets his sights on.
