Former ONE Championship middleweight and light heavyweight champion Reinier de Ridder has signed with the UFC.
Roster Tracker was the first to break the news. Alex Behunin confirmed it as well.
De Ridder’s (17-2) run with ONE Championship lasted from 2019 to 2024 going 7-2 in that span. Victories over Rong Fan, Gilberto Galvao and Leandro Ataides led to not one, but two title shots in the promotion.
He battled Aung La N Sang for both middleweight and light heavyweight titles taking them both. He defended the 205 title twice before losing both to Anatoly Malykhin eventually.
De Ridder made an appearance at ONE’s U.S. debut last May where he took on Tye Ruotolo in a grappling match. Rutolo took the victory via unanimous decision.
Reinier De Ridder comes into the UFC following a dismantling of Magomedmurad Khasaev at UAE Warriors 51 this past July.
Regardless of which division de Ridder enters in the UFC he quickly becomes a name of interest as the 34-year-old will likely be in a hurry to make his mark in the promotion.
No official announcement has been made by the UFC. No opponent or possible date for de Ridder’s debut has been announced as of this post.
