Fans Admire Reinier de Ridder for ‘Incredible Activity’ After Joining the UFC

Middleweight star Reinier De Ridder and his tireless activity continues after UFC Vancouver fight announcement from Dana White.

Fans Admire Reinier de Ridder for ‘Incredible Activity’ After Joining the UFC

Reinier De Ridder gets commended by fans for being active (via MMA Fighting)

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The UFC recruits new talent almost every year from fellow MMA promotions or training academies. The UFC is the grandest stage for any MMA fighter to perform to gain popularity and respect. However, not all recruitments have been able to reach superstar and champion status. This was not the case for Dutchman Reinier De Ridder, who was able to gain popularity due to his commendable routine fights.

‘RDR’ has been an unstoppable force ever since his debut in the UFC. De Ridder first fought in the UFC in November 2024, where he proved himself by defeating veteran journeyman Gerald Meerschaert. The Dutchman went back-and-forth with Meerschaert throughout the fight and secured an arm triangle submission in the third round. However, that was just the beginning for RDR.

The dominant performance earned him a PPV event spot against Kevin Holland at UFC 311 just two months after his debut. RDR put on another dominant performance against Holland when he took ‘Trailblazer’ down in the first round and submitted him via a deadly rear-naked choke. However, his biggest test came when he faced wrestling superstar and fan favorite Bo Nickal 5 months later.

De Ridder was the underdog coming into the fight, but he shocked the MMA community with a vicious knockout via knee strike against Nickal. This earned him a Fight Night main event spot against Robert Whittaker in July 2025. Despite having such a short career in the UFC, De Ridder cemented himself in a No. 5 spot in the UFC middleweight rankings with a split decision win against Whittaker.

RDR is known for his grappling-heavy style, which combines Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu proficiency with unwavering top control. De Ridder excels in tight quarters, utilizing his length to capture takedowns and rapidly transition to dominant positions. With a submission arsenal that includes chokes and joint locks, he has earned a reputation for finishing opponents on the ground.

He is set to fight Anthony ‘Fluffy’ Hernandez on October 18th at UFC Vancouver, making it the Dutchman’s fifth fight in less than a year. The fight promises to be a grappling showdown as Hernandez himself is on an eight-fight win streak and has the necessary tools to challenge De Ridder’s grappling and Jiu-Jitsu arsenal.

Fans react to Reinier De Ridder’s “active” UFC career

Before joining the UFC, Reinier De Ridder had carved out a spectacular legacy for himself in the esteemed ONE Championship. The Dutchman was a double champion and held the middleweight and light heavyweight belts.

RDR defended his belts twice, ultimately losing his undefeated streak and belts to Russian powerhouse Anatoly Malykhin. However, a dominant career in the promotion paved his way to a UFC contract after leaving the Asian promotion.

Reinier De Ridder
Reinier De Ridder (via ONE Championship)

De Ridder’s routine fights and activity in the UFC have gained the attention of fans who have been treated to dominant performances from the Dutchman. Fans have commended RDR’s active presence in the UFC and showered him with praise after his latest UFC Vancouver fight announcement. Here are some fan reactions:

Reinier De Ridder’s tireless activity and desire to take on challenges demonstrate not just his exceptional skill set but also his uncommon competitive spirit. In an era when many fighters carefully choose their courses, De Ridder has continuously pursued the most difficult tests available. It has earned him a reputation as one of the major rising stars in the promotion.

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