Reinier de Ridder has been with UFC for less than a year but during that span has already competed five times, which includes his technical knockout loss (retirement) to fellow middleweight contender Brendan
Allen atop the UFC Vancouver fight card last weekend in Canada.
As a result, “The Dutch Knight” is taking a break.
“If we have shared the mats you know I tend to work more and harder than anybody else,” de Ridder said on social media. “But over the last two camps, I might have exaggerated a little bit. I was so focused on getting that title and being ready once the chance came that I failed to listen to my body and last Saturday that showed. I shall not stray the course but daddy is taking some time off kids.”
The loss to Allen cost de Ridder his spot in the Top 5 of the official middleweight rankings.
“I was not the best fighter in the cage [last] Saturday and it stings,” de Ridder added. “But next to all the crazy highs I am also grateful to experience the lows. So many people go through life at a constant 6/10 but as a fighter we get to experience the full set of options. I was not myself but I will be again. If you know me, you know what I’m coming for. Be nice out there and see you soon.”
The de Ridder loss — coupled with the untimely injury to middleweight contender Anthony Hernandez — all but guarantees Nassourdine Imavov will score the next shot at the 185-pound title, currently held by Khamzat Chimaev. Expect an announcement on that fight in the coming weeks.
