Reinier de Ridder is able to intervene within the occasion that Khamzat Chimaev leaves.
“RDR” can be lively this Saturday because the UFC heads to Abu Dhabi for a Struggle Evening card loaded at Etihad Arina. After filming “O” for Beau Nikkal on his last outing, De Rider tries to spike the middleweight rankings when he meets former title holder and present No. 5 contender Robert Whitaker.
And whereas De Ridder is targeted on getting the most important victory of his profession within the UAE, he continues to cross his fingers because the UFC intervenes and fights via 185-pound champion Dricus du Plessis in August.
“I nonetheless hope that Cam That brings out the final minute of UFC 319,” De Ridar instructed Submission Radio. “It is two weeks after my struggle, so I is likely to be fortunate.”
Chimaev is presently planning to attempt “DDP” in Chicago subsequent month. Nonetheless, the undefeated Chechnya monsters have a historical past of getting out of the battle. Probably the most notorious incident occurred in September 2022 when Chimaev gained vital weight on the dimensions of the deliberate headliner with Nate Diaz at UFC 279.
Earlier than that, Chimaev retreated greater than thrice from his battle with former welterweight King Leon Edwards, and was pressured to reschedule an October conflict with Robert Whitaker, which was anticipated to say no 4 months in the past by the UFC.
De Ridder can punch tickets to title photographs in Abu Dhabi
As for De Ridder, the previous Two-Division One World Champion runs excessive after bagging the trio finishes in opposition to Gerald Meerschaert, Kevin Holland and former Nittany Lion.
De Ridder could possibly be the following man in middleweight crown shot after successful the “Reaper” in Abu Dhabi. It stays to be seen whether or not the chance will come as a short-term different.
