Reinier de Ridder has transitioned from ONE Championship to the UFC, expressing gratitude for his past experiences while looking forward to new opportunities, including a scheduled fight on November 9 against Gerald Meerschaert, and appreciating the UFC’s clearer weight class rules and drug testing protocols.
Reinier de Ridder is embarking on a new chapter. After parting ways with ONE Championship, he’s now signed with the UFC. It’s a fresh start!
There’s been tension between ONE and its fighters recently, but de Ridder isn’t here to bash his old gig. Like any job, it had its ups and downs. He just knew it was time for change.
“It’s been good for a long time and it’s been bad for a pretty long time now as well,” de Ridder shared with MMA Fighting. “Things weren’t being handled right, but it is what it is.”
Initially, de Ridder had a great run with ONE. Lots of fights, full-time fighting career—what’s not to love? But the last few years? Not so great.
In 2022, he fought three times. Then came 2023, where he only grappled once under ONE’s banner. His activity dwindled, leading to his departure.
After his contract ended, he took a fight with UAE Warriors before making the leap to UFC. The dream of many fighters, right? He wasn’t sure if he’d ever fight for them, but here he is.
“I’m looking forward to getting in there,” de Ridder said about his UFC debut. “I’m psyched; it’s cool.”
The UFC is like the holy grail for fighters and fans alike. Everyone wants in, and now he’s in! With age creeping up, it was now or never for him.
Despite holding two titles at ONE, signing with the UFC brought more buzz than anything else. Funny how that works.
“The crazy part,” de Ridder noted, “is starting over as an unranked fighter in UFC is a bigger deal than being a champ elsewhere.”
He’s excited about two big differences in UFC: clearer weight classes and drug testing. A definite step up from his previous experience.
ONE had hydration tests to curb weight cuts—a good idea initially but flawed over time. Fighters got bigger while he played by the rules.
“Not looking forward to weight cuts,” de Ridder admitted. “Hydration tests alone aren’t enough.”
Drug testing at ONE started back in 2019, but UFC’s out-of-competition testing is what reassures him most.
“In this regard, the UFC is the place to go,” de Ridder said. “America is the place for clean athletes.”
He’s thrilled about his first UFC fight against Gerald Meerschaert on Nov. 9. Props to his manager Ali Abdelaziz for sealing the deal quickly.
“I’m very grateful,” de Ridder expressed. “Ali’s working his magic.”
He’s trying to enjoy every moment of this new journey—even the interviews and fan interactions he used to dread.
“I’ve always been a bit of a hater,” he confessed, “but I’m trying to be more grateful.”