Reinier de Ridder on “interesting” champion bouts vs Abbasov and Bhullar

Reinier de Ridder is mapping out even more gold for his 2022 return to ONE Championship.

de Ridder did mention being down to defend either title he presently holds (middleweight and light heavyweight). But did also specifically outline dream bouts with other titleholders including a possible chance at claiming a third title within the ONE Circle.

ONE welterweight world champion Kiamrian Abbasov and ONE heavyweight world champion Arjan Bhullar are in the proverbial crosshairs of the dual division champion de Ridder.

Speaking with Onefc.com, de Ridder stated, “Kiamrian Abbasov is very interesting. He’s been on a tear lately. It would be very cool to face him. I think I’d be very dominant in a fight with Abbasov. Just because I’m better everywhere. I’m taller, I’m stronger, I’m rangier, I’m heavier, and he gets taken down by almost anybody. So he’ll definitely get taken down by me. So I see myself finishing that fight early.”

Reinier de Ridder

There has been a bit of public banter between RDR and Bhullar already. De Ridder sees a unique stylistic clash there in taking on a skilled and bigger opponent but ultimately likes both bout possibilities.

“[A fight with Bhullar] would be more interesting because I’ll give up a lot of weight. He’ll probably have 20 pounds on me, maybe even more. So that might take some more time to finish him. I might have to put in some more work, tire him out, hit him to the body some more before I get the finish in that fight. Both are great challenges and I’m looking forward to both of those fights.”

RDR last competed at ONE on TNT IV where he captured light-heavyweight gold over Aung La N Sang. That April bout allowed for de Ridder to claim both the middleweight and light heavyweight belts in consecutive outings against The Burmese Python.

Reinier de Ridder is 14-0 overall as a professional mixed martial artist. He has garnered nine victories by way of submission and has three striking-based stoppages to his credit as well.

What are your thoughts on de Ridder calling out Abbasov and Bhullar for his return to the ONE Circle? 

Dylan Bowker

I've been enamored with combat sports for as long as I can remember. I've hosted MMA talk shows Lights Out and Pure Fight Radio with featured guests like Jens Pulver, Roy Nelson, Miesha Tate, Mark Coleman, and more. I've been an MMA broadcaster for XFFC as well as BTC and have done play by play commentary on live pay per view on GFL as well as FITE TV. I've provided written, audio, and video content covering some of the biggest MMA promotions like Rumble in the Cage, Unified MMA, and King of the Cage. I've worked as a sports entertainment personality for over five years and given play-by-play or featured promotions of KSW, ONE Championship, TKO, and Invicta FC. My work can be found in the USA Today Sports affiliate MMA Torch, Cageside Press, MMA Sucka, and Liberty Multimedia.

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