Reinier de Ridder Announces Light Heavyweight Move After UFC 326 Defeat, Shares Donuts with Teammates

Reinier de Ridder's time in the UFC middleweight division has officially come to an end. "The Dutch Knight" recently made his return to action at UFC 326 against Caio Borralho, where he was largely dominated by the Brazilian's sharp striking and effective grappling counters. While de Ridder managed to find brief moments of opportunity, he struggled to establish consistent offense and absorbed the majority of significant strikes, ultimately leading to a unanimous decision defeat.

This marked de Ridder's second consecutive loss, following a prior defeat to Brendan Allen at UFC Vancouver in October, a fight he was forced to abandon on his stool after four demanding rounds.

Since his promotional debut in November 2024, "RDR" quickly made a name for himself in the middleweight division. Within a year, he put the roster on notice by achieving a four-fight winning streak, which included impressive victories over prominent fighters such as Kevin Holland, Bo Nickal, and former champion Robert Whittaker. However, it now appears Reinier de Ridder is no longer willing to undergo the rigorous weight-cutting process required to compete at the 185-pound limit.

De Ridder Treats Team to Donuts While Declaring Weight Class Change

On Wednesday morning, Reinier de Ridder shared a video on Instagram showing him distributing donuts to his teammates at Kill Cliff FC. The post was accompanied by a caption that read, "Drowning my sorrow in donuts and BIG NEWS."

"RDR" playfully informed his training partners that the treats were meant to ensure they stayed "heavy and strong," before formally announcing his intention to move up to the UFC's light heavyweight division. Despite the loss to Caio Borralho at UFC 326, de Ridder also expressed satisfaction with his overall performance in the bout.

A transition to the 205-pound division will not be unfamiliar territory for the 35-year-old Dutchman. De Ridder previously competed at both light heavyweight and heavyweight during his tenure with ONE Championship, where he notably clinched both the middleweight and light heavyweight titles.

"The Dutch Knight" currently holds a professional mixed martial arts record of 21 wins and 4 losses, with a 4-2 record in the UFC. Out of his 21 victories, an impressive 18 have come by way of finish, comprising five knockouts and thirteen submissions.