“I’m Not Waiting Around” – Reinier De Ridder Is Eyeing a Middleweight Title Defense Earlier Than Anatoly Malykhin’s Suggested Timeline

Reinier de Ridder wants to redeem himself from the only loss of his MMA career, and he wants to be back in action as soon as possible. “The Dutch Knight” watched Anatoly Malykhin claim the undisputed ONE Heavyweight World Title in a dominant fashion against Arjan Bhullar this past Friday, June 23, at ONE Friday Fights 22, and he heard “Sladkiy” call him out for the middleweight strap in his post-fight interview. 

Never one to back down from a challenge, De Ridder wasted no time in accepting the Russian juggernaut’s call, but he also said that he plans to compete in another fight before they mix it up a second time.

Reinier De Ridder congratulated Anatoly Malykhin intending to get back to action sooner

“Malykhin, congrats on another great win. Thanks for the callout, but I’m not waiting around for you to lose some weight until the end of the year,” he said in a message sent to SCMP MMA. “Give me Shamil. Give me some new blood in August or September. Then we can settle our score in October or November. See you soon.” 

De Ridder and Malykhin first faced off last December in a clash between undefeated fighters for the Dutchman’s ONE Light Heavyweight World Championship. It was the Russian powerhouse who would extend his pristine record on that occasion, as he claimed the World Title via a devastating first-round knockout. 

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After competing four times in 2022, the ONE Middleweight World Champion has only had one fight so far this year, competing in a closely-contested submission grappling match against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu phenom Tye Ruotolo at ONE Fight Night 10 in May.

Reinier De Ridder has no issues in facing Anatoly Malykhin for his Middleweight title defense

He is now eager to make his much-anticipated return to MMA, however, and the Breda native is interested in exacting revenge on Malykhin. The light heavyweight strap may have been De Ridder’s first port of call in that quest, but he made it clear that he had no issue locking horns with Malykhin at the middleweight via his Instagram account.

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“This is what I want. Defend my title vs. some new blood as soon as possible. Then the Malykhin rematch at the end of the year, whatever the weight. Let’s make it happen @onechampionship @yodchatri @mmawizard @slicricauty time to make history!” he wrote.