With UFC 319 on the horizon, former ONE Championship double-champ Reinier de Ridder has his eyes fixed on the middleweight title bout between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev. In an interview with MMA Fighting, de Ridder admitted that his own future in the UFC middleweight division is tied directly to the outcome of this fight, stating, “If Chimaev wins, I might be stuck waiting another year.” De Ridder is now positioned at number five in the UFC rankings after a split-decision victory over Robert Whittaker, and he’s not just a spectator—he’s a backup fighter for the August 16th event, ready to step in should the opportunity arise.
The Calculated Gamble of Reinier de Ridder
De Ridder’s dilemma is a simple one: he wants a title shot in the near future, but he believes his timeline depends entirely on who wins the main event. A victory for Dricus du Plessis, he says, would fast-track his path to a title fight.
“Dricus is the ideal path,” de Ridder explained. “Chimaev barely fights once a year now. If he wins, who knows when he’ll defend?”
This concern over inactivity is a major reason why de Ridder is actively rooting for the champion. It’s a calculated gamble, with one outcome offering a clear path and the other creating a potentially long and unpredictable wait.
Why Du Plessis’s Style Is the Preferred Matchup
As a BJJ black belt with 14 submission victories on his record, de Ridder sees more exploitable weaknesses in Du Plessis’s game. He points to the champion’s relatively low takedown defence (58%) and a tendency to tire in the later rounds, as was evident in his fight against Sean Strickland. De Ridder believes his elite grappling would pose a significant threat to Du Plessis, who has yet to face a top-tier grappler at middleweight.
“I’d drag Dricus into deep waters and drown him,” de Ridder told MMA Fighting. “Chimaev? That’s a five-round war I might not survive.”
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Chimaev: A High-Risk, High-Reward Opponent
While Chimaev presents a more challenging matchup for de Ridder, he also brings unique factors that could either fast-track his path to a title or delay it indefinitely. Chimaev’s dominant wrestling, with a record of 4.3 takedowns per 15 minutes, is a clear threat. However, de Ridder also notes that Chimaev’s recent inactivity and issues with weight cuts and cardio are potential liabilities. The UFC’s interest in a “superfight” between Chimaev and Israel Adesanya, should Chimaev win, could also push de Ridder’s title hopes to the back burner.
The August 16 headliner will reshape the middleweight division’s future, and as de Ridder waits, he knows the outcome will determine his next career move.
| Key Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Key Event | UFC 319: Middleweight Title Fight |
| Fighters | Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev |
| De Ridder’s Role | Official backup fighter for the main and co-main events |
| Title Shot Preference | Prefers Du Plessis to win for a quicker path to a title shot in 2026 |
| De Ridder’s Ranking | Now ranked #5 in the UFC middleweight division |
| Matchup Analysis | De Ridder sees vulnerabilities in Du Plessis’s grappling, while acknowledging the challenge of Chimaev’s wrestling and power. |
What is the main event of UFC 319?
The main event of UFC 319 features a middleweight title bout between champion Dricus du Plessis and undefeated challenger Khamzat Chimaev.
Why is Reinier de Ridder interested in the outcome of UFC 319?
As a top-ranked middleweight, de Ridder’s path to a title shot is highly dependent on who wins the main event. He believes a Du Plessis victory would lead to a faster title opportunity for him.
What role will de Ridder have at UFC 319?
De Ridder is signed on as the official backup fighter for both the main and co-main events at UFC 319.
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