Fighting legend René de Rider reveals his desired UFC opponent for a showdown in the octagon
In the world of mixed martial arts, a potential blockbuster fight is gaining traction, with former ONE Championship double champion Reinier de Ridder expressing his desire to face Israel Adesanya. De Ridder, who has been competing in the UFC since November of last year, has impressed with four consecutive victories, with three of them being finishes.
De Ridder's admiration for Adesanya is no secret, and he has even hinted at a dream of defending his title against the Nigerian-born New Zealander. However, Adesanya's current standing in the UFC presents a challenge. After a knockout loss to Nassourdine Imavov in February 2025, many see his championship prospects as uncertain.
Adesanya, once a two-time champion, is currently far from the title picture. His three-fight losing streak has raised questions about his UFC return and positioning. Some insiders and former fighters have suggested that other top contenders, such as Imavov and Caio Borralho, contesting a title eliminator, could affect De Ridder’s immediate plans.
Despite these challenges, a matchup with Adesanya is considered a compelling fight at middleweight. The proposed fight is more significant for De Ridder than one against someone who merely dislikes him. De Ridder has shown admiration for Adesanya's victory over Pereira, which he finds particularly appealing.
Meanwhile, outside the UFC, there have been no recent developments regarding Paulo Costa's challenge for a fight with De Ridder or his criticism of the Dutch fighter. Similarly, Jorge Masvidal has expressed disbelief in Jon Jones' MMA comeback, but the specific reason for this sentiment remains unclear.
In a separate development, the UFC honoured the fight between Jorge Masvidal and Leon Edwards with its 'Fight of the Month' award. The fight, which was a thrilling display of martial arts skill, underscores the excitement that a potential De Ridder vs. Adesanya fight could bring to the UFC's middleweight division.
While a De Ridder vs. Adesanya fight is desired by some fans and hinted at by de Ridder, it is not imminent due to Adesanya’s current standing, ongoing contender fights, and uncertain UFC matchmaking decisions. Nevertheless, the prospect of this highly anticipated matchup keeps MMA fans on the edge of their seats.
Bookmakers are quietly opening odds on potential matchups in the UFC's middleweight division, with a notable one being Reinier de Ridder versus Israel Adesanya. This sports contest, if materialized, could be a defining moment in mixed-martial-arts, considering De Ridder's admiration for Adesanya's past victories.
