One of MMA's top stars will enter the octagon before 2024 comes to a close.
The UFC Roster Tracker X account reported that the UFC signed two-division champion Reinier de Ridder. MMA Junkie later reported he signed a multi-fight contract with the promotion.
UFC CEO Dana White didn't know about the signing when asked about it during a Dana White's Contender Series press conference. However, the Dutch fighter confirmed the signing on Instagram.
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"The rumores are true," de Ridder said.
A two-time jiu-jitsu silver medalist, de Ridder won nine straight to start his career before signing with ONE in 2019. He went 7-2 with the promotion, submitting Aung La Nsang for the ONE middleweight title in 2020 and going the distance against him the following year for the ONE light heavyweight title.
"The Dutch Knight" lost the belts in two straight contests against Anatoly Malykhin. He last competed under the UAE Warriors banner, making short work of Magomedmurad Khasaev. The 34-year-old has eleven wins via submission and four via knockout.
de Ridder's UFC career will start at 185 pounds, with Marcel Dorff reporting he will face Gerald Meerschaert on November 9. Meerschaert holds the record for most finishes (12) in UFC middleweight history and is on a two-fight win streak. Eleven of his UFC wins have come via submission.
It would be the 100th UFC Vegas event in the APEX.
