Khamzat Chimaev’s dominant victory over Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 in Chicago has set the stage for a first title defense on the upcoming UFC 321 card in Abu Dhabi. But the lightning-fast turnaround could complicate plans for the challenger landscape, potentially sidelining the winner of the Nassourdine Imavov vs. Caio Borralho fight on Sept. 5 in Paris.
Reiner de Ridder, currently No. 5 and known as the Dutch Knight, is ready to step in. The 34-year-old is 4-0 under the UFC banner with three finishes and recently defeated former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker on ABC. “Send me the contract,” de Ridder told reporters, signaling his formal interest in the matchup.
In his post-UFC 319 remarks, de Ridder noted that he’s faced top wrestling talent, including a showdown against Bo Nickal at UFC Des Moines, and he’s eager to test himself against what he calls the best Caucasus-area wrestler. De Ridder’s path to a title shot would be swift if he can secure a contract and prove himself against Chimaev, who has yet to respond to the challenge.
Chimaev, who remains undefeated at 15-0, has not publicly weighed in on de Ridder’s proposal, and it’s unclear how a potential title defense would align with the Paris show or the winner of Imavov vs. Borralho. Still, the prospect of Chimaev facing a high-caliber, elite-wrestling opponent like de Ridder could deliver a marquee matchup for a Middleweight title program.
Summary: With Chimaev eyeing a rapid title defense after his latest win, de Ridder has stepped forward as a ready-made challenger, highlighting the clash between elite wrestling and Chimaev’s grappling prowess. The next moves will hinge on contract talks and how promoters balance Abu Dhabi’s pay-per-view with the evolving challenger picture.
Optional extra commentary: If De Ridder can secure the fight, it would be a landmark matchup that tests Chimaev’s ability to handle a well-rounded, middleweight wrestler who has proven he can defeat top contenders. For fans, the interest is not only in the title but in seeing whether De Ridder’s diverse grappling and finishing ability can crack the Chimaev puzzle. If Chimaev accepts, it could set up one of the year’s most compelling title-showdown narratives. Positive outlook: a potential showdown between two elite grapplers could elevate the sport and deliver a thrilling chapter in the Middleweight division.