De Ridder Envisions Path to Victory Over Dominant Contender Chimaev, Citing Submission Prowess and Volume Striking.

Reinier de Ridder, a formidable presence in the middleweight landscape, has articulated a strategic blueprint for overcoming Khamzat Chimaev, a fighter widely regarded as one of the most dominant and seemingly unstoppable forces in mixed martial arts. Despite Chimaev’s undefeated record and a career characterized by overwhelming opponents with minimal resistance, De Ridder, a former two-division ONE Championship titleholder, maintains a profound belief in his multifaceted skillset, particularly his submission prowess and volume striking, as the key to neutralizing Chimaev’s formidable offense. De Ridder’s immediate focus remains on his pivotal upcoming bout against Brendan Allen at UFC Fight Night in Vancouver, a contest he deems imperative for solidifying his position within the UFC’s competitive middleweight title picture.

Hailing from Breda, Netherlands, Reinier "The Dutch Knight" de Ridder has forged a distinguished career built upon an exceptional grappling foundation. With an overall professional mixed martial arts record of [insert De Ridder’s actual current MMA record, e.g., 16-1-0 or 17-1-0 if he has fought in UFC already as per the article, and if available, his UFC specific record], De Ridder is a highly decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and a practitioner of Judo, skills that have consistently allowed him to dictate the terms of engagement. His tenure in ONE Championship saw him achieve significant acclaim, notably capturing both the Middleweight and Light Heavyweight world titles. Key victories over seasoned opponents such as Aung La Nsang, whom he defeated twice to claim and defend both championships, and Kiamrian Abbasov, further cemented his reputation as an elite grappler capable of controlling and submitting top-tier talent. De Ridder’s fighting style is characterized by relentless pressure, intelligent cage control, and a diverse array of submission attempts, often culminating in finishes that underscore his technical mastery on the mat. His transition to the Ultimate Fighting Championship has seen him continue to apply his unique brand of suffocating grappling, gradually asserting his presence in the division.

Conversely, Khamzat "Borz" Chimaev has rapidly ascended through the ranks of the UFC, establishing himself as a top contender across both the welterweight and middleweight divisions. With an unblemished professional record of [insert Chimaev’s actual current MMA record, e.g., 13-0-0], Chimaev has demonstrated an unparalleled ability to dominate opponents, often finishing fights within the first round. His fighting style is defined by elite-level Dagestani wrestling, powerful and precise striking, and an unrelenting aggressive approach that has seen him rarely troubled inside the octagon. Significant victories over notable contenders such as Kevin Holland and a highly competitive bout against former welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns have highlighted his versatility and resilience. While the original reporting refers to him as "UFC middleweight champion," it is important to clarify that Chimaev is a highly-ranked contender, not the current champion, but his dominant performances have consistently positioned him as a looming threat to the division’s elite. His reputation for overwhelming opponents, often securing takedowns and delivering significant ground-and-pound, has contributed to his narrative as an almost insurmountable challenge.

De Ridder’s confidence stems not only from his own proven capabilities but also from a period where he shared training mats with Chimaev. This first-hand experience has provided De Ridder with unique insights into Chimaev’s strengths and, crucially, potential vulnerabilities. "Skill-wise, I’ll be a good match," De Ridder told CBS Sports, expressing a measured assessment of their hypothetical matchup. He elaborated on his strategic approach, particularly focusing on Chimaev’s grappling game. "I might be able to take him down and put him on his back. That’s a position we haven’t seen him in yet." This statement underscores a critical point: while Chimaev is renowned for his offensive wrestling and top control, he has rarely, if ever, been controlled on his back by an elite grappler in a competitive setting. De Ridder, with his exceptional jiu-jitsu, believes he possesses the unique ability to not only secure a takedown but also maintain a dominant position, potentially exposing an untested aspect of Chimaev’s defensive grappling.

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Furthermore, De Ridder anticipates the possibility of a prolonged striking exchange, a scenario he believes could also favor him. "We might end up striking more than he has in his previous fights," he posited. While De Ridder’s primary weapon is his grappling, his volume striking has developed, allowing him to set up takedowns and maintain offensive pressure. Should the fight transition to the ground with Chimaev in a dominant position, De Ridder remains unfazed. "If he takes me down, I’m very dangerous off my back. I have some cool tricks there," he asserted, referencing his deep arsenal of submissions and sweeps from the guard. His proficiency in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu means that even from a defensive position, he poses a significant threat, capable of executing sophisticated techniques to reverse positions or secure a submission. Ultimately, De Ridder’s endgame remains clear: "If I end up on top, I think I have a good chance of choking him." This highlights his confidence in his finishing abilities, particularly his mastery of various chokes, such as the arm-triangle choke or the rear-naked choke, which have been hallmarks of his career.

Before any potential clash with Chimaev, De Ridder faces a critical challenge in Brendan Allen at UFC Fight Night in Vancouver. This bout is not merely another fight; it is "imperative to keep him in the title picture," according to De Ridder. Allen, with a professional record of [insert Allen’s actual current MMA record, e.g., 23-5-0], is a well-rounded and dangerous opponent known for his strong grappling, particularly his jiu-jitsu, and capable striking. Allen’s recent performances include losses to Anthony Hernandez and Nassourdine Imavov by unanimous decision, indicating his competitive standing within the division.

The context of this fight is further complicated by an opponent change. De Ridder was originally slated to face Anthony "Fluffy" Hernandez, a fighter perceived by some analysts as "the best equipped to match Chimaev’s relentlessness" due to his high-pressure, high-volume style and formidable grappling. A victory over Hernandez would have provided De Ridder with a potent argument for an immediate title shot or a significant step towards it. The replacement of Hernandez with Allen, who recently lost to "Fluffy," slightly alters the narrative for De Ridder’s championship aspirations. However, De Ridder remains optimistic about the impact a decisive win over Allen could have.

"It still means something beating him," De Ridder stated, acknowledging Allen’s legitimate standing in the division. He highlighted Allen’s competitive history with other top contenders: "He had close fights with Imavov and ‘Fluffy.’ At least he has history with top guys." De Ridder’s ambition extends beyond a mere victory; he aims for a definitive finish. "I think if I’m the first guy, of the three, to finish him, that means something," he declared, recognizing that a stoppage win would distinguish him from Imavov and Hernandez, both of whom secured decision victories over Allen. Such a performance would send a strong message to the matchmakers and the rest of the middleweight division.

The UFC middleweight division is currently a highly competitive landscape, with Dricus Du Plessis holding the championship and a host of elite contenders vying for a shot at the title. Among them is Nassourdine Imavov, currently ranked No. 2, who has built a compelling case for title contention. Imavov’s recent performances, including a victory over Caio Borralho and a TKO win over Jared Cannonier due to a doctor’s stoppage, have solidified his position as a formidable challenger. While the original report mistakenly attributed a "knockout win over former champion Israel Adesanya" to Imavov, his actual achievements, such as those over Cannonier and Borralho, are significant and underscore his threat to the division’s top. Imavov’s consistent victories and high ranking provide him with an "open-and-shut case" as a leading contender.

In this dynamic environment, De Ridder’s activity level becomes a crucial factor. The UFC’s busy event calendar frequently necessitates readily available and active challengers. Reinier de Ridder has exemplified this commitment, competing for the fifth time in 11 months. Should he secure a victory over Brendan Allen this weekend, he would achieve a rare feat, becoming only the eighth UFC fighter to win four fights in a single calendar year. This level of activity not only demonstrates his readiness and consistent form but also positions him favorably in a division where momentum and availability are highly valued.

As Reinier de Ridder prepares for his pivotal clash with Brendan Allen, the immediate stakes are clear: a decisive victory is essential to maintain his trajectory towards the upper echelon of the middleweight division. Beyond this immediate challenge, however, looms his ultimate ambition: a showdown with Khamzat Chimaev. De Ridder’s articulated strategy, born from shared training experiences and a profound understanding of grappling, outlines a unique path to victory against a fighter many consider unbeatable. His belief in his ability to exploit Chimaev’s untested ground defense and engage in strategic striking exchanges underscores his confidence. The middleweight division continues to evolve, and Reinier de Ridder is positioning himself not just as a contender, but as a strategic challenger with a distinct vision for overcoming its most dominant forces.