Reinier de Ridder has rapidly become a rising star in MMA. The Brabant native will face Australian Robert Whittaker in the main event in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. “Let’s see if we can destroy that guy too.”
Earlier this year, experts ran out of superlatives to describe De Ridder’s performances, a newcomer to the UFC. In May, he finished American Bo Nickal in the second round, who was on an impressive streak.
And Kevin Holland was also defeated this year by ‘The Dutch Knight’, who has gained enormous popularity, but is still not very well known to the general public in the Netherlands. The fight with Whittaker should be the next step towards the absolute top of the UFC, the pinnacle of mixed martial arts, a combat sport that combines various combat sports techniques – such as wrestling, judo, kickboxing and Thai boxing.
The 34-year-old De Ridder came into contact with the sport during his student days and is now on his way to becoming a major figure in MMA. “I once moved to Breda for my studies and then I was actually looking for a new judo club. But I couldn’t really find one. I then started with jiu-jitsu first and from there I rolled into MMA. Step by step I have come to where I am now,” says De Ridder in an interview with NU.nl
“With jiu-jitsu I won some tournaments, first amateur matches and then professional matches. And I have kept winning actually.” He maintained his winning mentality and that was noticed years later after a move to MMA by the UFC, where only the best fighters in the world are allowed to compete. “If you start fighting, with MMA fighting, there is only one thing you think about,” he says, referring to the Ultimate Fighting Championship fighting sports organization.
Around 18,000 spectators are present at the fight on Saturday evening, including many world stars. “Such an event is very special, in a packed arena. People really come to experience something. Let’s see if we can offer them that.”
Living in Florida
For the first time, De Ridder is the main fight of a UFC evening. That is a new highlight in the career of the Brabant native, who now lives in Florida.
“Yes, there is quite a bit going on. Actually, I have been in training camp non-stop since I signed here last year. Meanwhile, I have found my place in Florida, where the children will go to school from August. It’s a nice adventure like this, special to experience.”
“What I have learned more and more in recent years is: whoever works the hardest is the one who gets the furthest. I don’t believe in talent. What is hard work? In our sport it means working your ass off twice a day for one and a half to two hours,” says the Brabander, who says he is looking forward to the clash with Whittaker. “Let’s see if we can destroy this guy again.”