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Reinier de Ridder, the former ONE Championship two-division champion, is officially stepping into the UFC octagon for the first time. The 34-year-old Dutchman has made waves in the MMA world with his impressive record, and his debut is slated for November 9 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. While de Ridder won't be facing a ranked opponent, his debut match-up against Gerald Meerschaert is far from a walk in the park.
After signing with the UFC, de Ridder’s fight announcement came swiftly. The middleweight bout will be part of a UFC Fight Night event. De Ridder, who boasts an MMA record of 17-2, held the ONE Championship middleweight and light heavyweight titles before losing both belts in back-to-back matchups against Anatoly Malykhin. Despite these setbacks, de Ridder bounced back with a first-round TKO win at UAE Warriors in July, proving he's ready for a fresh start in the UFC.
Standing across from him will be UFC veteran Gerald Meerschaert (37-17). Known for his submission prowess, Meerschaert recently set a record for the most finishes in UFC middleweight history, surpassing the legendary Anderson Silva. His latest submission victory came in a comeback against Edmen Shahbazyan, marking his second straight win by submission. Meerschaert is no stranger to challenges, and de Ridder will have to bring his A-game to overcome such a seasoned competitor.
This matchup promises an intriguing clash of styles, with de Ridder’s elite grappling and striking skills facing off against Meerschaert’s submission expertise. It’s a must-watch for MMA fans, as both fighters look to make a statement.
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