Khamzat Chimaev Issues Warning to Reinier De Ridder After Calls for Title Fight

After his one-sided mauling of Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319, Khamzat Chimaev already has eyes on his next challenge.

Khamzat Chimaev Issues Warning to Reinier De Ridder After Calls for Title Fight

Khamzat Chimaev warns Reinier De Ridder (via NU, MMA Mania)

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Newly crowned UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev has garnered the undivided attention of the MMA community after his performance at UFC 319. However, the Chechen superstar has now become the target of a hungry 185lbs division. Multiple middleweights have started to call out the new champion for a title shot, including the Dutchman Reinier De Ridder.

De Ridder recently took to X to put his name in the mix for a future title fight against ‘Borz’. RDR issued a callout to the champ, initially congratulating Chimaev for his mauling of Dricus Du Plessis in Chicago. However, he vowed to show “true grappling dominance” if they fight, urging him to sign the contract. It is safe to say that Chimaev had some interesting thoughts regarding the former ONE FC title holder’s callout.

I’m gonna make you look like white belt habibi

Khamzat Chimaev via X

For the unversed, RDR was present cageside at UFC 319 and watched Chimaev put on a historic grappling display against Du Plessis. However, De Ridder has stated on multiple occasions that his own work on the ground is not to be underestimated. With almost 70% of his wins coming by way of submission, RDR boasts an impressive ground game. Overall, the Dutchman has an impressive record of 21 wins and two losses in his MMA career.

De Ridder first fought in the UFC in 2024 and earned a submission victory in his debut against veteran journeyman Gerald Meerschaert. However, RDR was also a double champion in ONE Championship, where he captured the middleweight and light heavyweight belts. Despite his dominance in the promotion, De Ridder lost both the belts to Anatoly Malykhin before finally moving to Dana White’s juggernaut.

Khamzat Chimaev and De Ridder have grappling-heavy techniques, but they use them significantly differently. ‘Borz’ uses rapid wrestling, chain takedowns, and vicious ground-and-pound to overwhelm opponents with speed and pressure, frequently aiming to win bouts fast through dominant control. De Ridder, on the other hand, is a precise grappler who uses his judo and jiu-jitsu background to control positions, move slowly, and seek submissions, particularly chokes.

Robert Whittaker analyses a fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Reinier De Ridder

Former champion Robert Whittaker has plenty of experience in MMA and has faced the best of the best. However, he came up short against both Khamzat Chimaev and De Ridder in their respective bouts. ‘The Reaper’ was the target of Chimaev’s impressive ground game when the Chechen superstar submitted him in round 1 at UFC 308, resulting in a broken jaw for Whittaker.

Robert Whittaker talks about a fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Reinier De Ridder
Robert Whittaker talks about a fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Reinier De Ridder (via MMA Fighting, BJ Penn)

On the other hand, Whittaker faced a split decision loss to RDR in his last fight at UFC Abu Dhabi. However, the fight also guaranteed a title shot eliminator for the Dutchman. Whittaker recently spoke out on a potential matchup between his former opponents and statistically analyzed a possible outing.

I think Reinier de Ridder has a good chance of winning the bout against Chimaev. The Dutchman trains in grappling. He is tall, and he knows quite a bit about jiu-jitsu. de Ridder is a very tall fighter and a jiu-jitsu specialist who likes to work on the ground. He spends a lot of time there and throws unexpected strikes. If Khamzat respects his actions on the ground, exchanges a few blows, the unusual attacks and strikes of de Ridder can cause Chimaev a lot of headaches.

Robert Whittaker via Zamin.uz

‘The Reaper’ also acknowledged welterweight Gilbert Burns as the toughest fight for Chimaev. Whittaker believed that Burns was able to use his superior Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu prowess and put up a praiseworthy fight against Chimaev. However, he also believed that De Ridder would use a game plan similar to ‘Durinho’ if he had to face Chimaev.

It remains to be seen if the fight between ‘Borz’ and RDR will come to fruition anytime soon. However, while both Chimaev and de Ridder excel in grappling, Khamzat Chimaev’s aggression and ground-and-pound style differ from De Ridder’s tactical control and submission hunting.

A bout between them would not only test who can impose their style, but it would also highlight whether sheer aggressiveness or calculated technique proves better when two great grapplers encounter.

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