Reinier De Ridder endured a punishing 30lb weight swing in under 24 hours just to make the 185lb limit, but the UFC middleweight division finally drove him to shift up to light-heavyweight. The former ONE FC double champion’s grueling cuts left him drained and underpowered, contributing to back-to-back defeats, and the move to 205lb could be the lifeline his UFC career needs.
The Toll of Extreme Weight Cuts
During a recent fan Q&A on YouTube, De Ridder described how he regularly reached 186lb at the official scale before rehydrating to 215lb by fight night – a staggering 30lb fluctuation. He admitted the ritual became increasingly hazardous, turning routine preparations into a severe stress test on his body. “The cut just got worse and worse every time,” he confessed, recalling nights spent depleted and barely recovering before entering the octagon. This cycle, he believes, eroded his strength and endurance, making each middleweight tilt feel like a monumental battle against his own physiology.
Career Impact and UFC Setbacks
De Ridder stormed into the UFC with high expectations after dominating in ONE Championship, but the middleweight struggles told another story. Losses to Caio Borralho and Brendan Allen exposed fatigue and chinks in his armour. The Allen fight at UFC Vancouver saw his corner intervene after the fourth round, a rare stoppage in a main event. Fans and pundits alike questioned whether the constant dehydration was undermining his grappling prowess and ground-and-pound abilities that once made him unstoppable under the ONE FC banner.
Fresh Start at Light-Heavyweight
Officially moving to 205lb, De Ridder hopes to rekindle the comfort he once felt in ONE FC’s light-heavyweight division, where hydration tests discouraged drastic cuts. He pointed out that his natural walk-around weight hovered around 210lb, allowing him to fight without draining his reserves. The UFC light-heavyweight roster is stacked, but the Dutch-Surinamese powerhouse believes this shift will restore his stamina and power. Early whispers suggest his next octagon outing could be slated for later this year, although opponents are yet to be confirmed.
By saying goodbye to brutal weight slashes, Reinier De Ridder is banking on renewed vigour and health to propel him back towards title contention in a deeper, more forgiving weight class.
FAQ
What weight class will Reinier De Ridder fight in next?
He will compete at light-heavyweight (205lb) in the UFC, stepping away from the middleweight division to avoid extreme weight cuts.
Why did he struggle at middleweight?
Drastic weight cuts saw him deplete as much as 30lb in one day, leading to exhaustion and diminished performance in fights against Caio Borralho and Brendan Allen.
When did his corner stop the Brendan Allen fight?
The corner intervened after the fourth round at UFC Vancouver, seeking to protect De Ridder from further damage as fatigue took its toll.
What benefits does light-heavyweight offer him?
Fighting closer to his natural weight should improve his energy, strength and recovery, allowing him to showcase his grappling and striking without extreme dehydration.
