The world of mixed martial arts is abuzz with the news of Reinier de Ridder’s highly anticipated return to the ONE Championship Circle. The former two-division world champion, known for his impressive grappling and striking skills, suffered an unexpected knockout loss to Anatoliy Malykhin in his last bout, marking the first blemish in his previously unblemished record.
But ‘The Dutch Knight’ isn’t one to back down from a challenge. In a recent interview with ONE Championship, De Ridder shared his excitement and motivation to return to the Circle and prove his worth once again. He spoke about his upcoming comeback fight, which is set to take place next month, and how he’s been putting in the hard work to ensure he’s in top shape.
With his impressive resume and hunger for redemption, De Ridder is sure to make waves in the ONE Championship roster once again. Fans are eagerly awaiting his return, and it’s clear that he’s more than ready to give it his all and reclaim his spot at the top.
“I’ll do this fighting thing with all my heart. I’ll give all my time and all my energy, and I’ll go harder than anybody else in the gym. I’ll give everything for it. Sacrifice everything I can sacrifice for it.”
De Ridder acknowledges that losing is a part of the game, and he doesn’t let it affect his outlook on life. He believes that as long as he’s healthy and his family is alright, he will do just fine in life. It’s a refreshing perspective in a sport where fighters often feel the weight of their losses.
In his interview with ONE Championship, De Ridder talked about the importance of learning from his setbacks and using them to become a better fighter. He also touched on what he’s looking forward to in his upcoming bout with Ruotolo, noting that it’s a chance for him to showcase his grappling skills in a high-level matchup.
“But at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter. The result doesn’t really matter. I’m okay. Regardless, as long as the kids are fine, they’re happy, I can be myself around them, then that’s enough. If it doesn’t go my way, if I get hurt … to be honest, as long as the kids are fine, I don’t give a f*** about myself. I’m alright. I’ll manage.”
Reinier de Ridder’s passion for mixed martial arts is undeniable, but there’s a new driving force behind his quest for success – his children. The former two-division ONE world champion is ready to showcase his skills once again and earn redemption after suffering his first defeat in December.
Despite his setback, De Ridder has adopted a new perspective on the sport. Losing is now viewed as just part of the game, and as long as his family is healthy and taken care of, he knows he will be just fine in life. But make no mistake, De Ridder is still one of the most talented fighters on the planet, and he’s eager to prove it.
In his upcoming matchup at ONE Fight Night 10: Johnson vs Moraes III on Prime Video, De Ridder will take on Brazilian jiu-jitsu phenom Tye Ruotolo in a middleweight submission grappling match. While this may not be a traditional mixed martial arts bout, De Ridder is determined to leave his mark and show the world what he’s capable of.
For ‘The Dutch Knight,’ fighting is now about much more than just personal glory. He fights for his children, hoping to give them a better life and inspire them to chase their own dreams. As he steps back into the Circle, De Ridder’s passion and determination are sure to shine through, and fans around the world can’t wait to see what he’ll accomplish next.
