Latest news with #ReinierDeRidder
The Independent
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
UFC's most active fighter Kevin Holland: ‘So many fights I don't remember'
The UFC 's most active fighter Kevin Holland has admitted that he 'doesn't remember' some of his fights as he prepares to once again return to the Octagon next month. Holland faces Vicente Luque on June 7, his 21st fight for the UFC since 2020, which makes him the promotion's most regular competitor over the past five years. A fan favourite due to his activity and charismatic personality, Holland equalled the record for most UFC wins in a calendar year back in 2020 - managing five fights and winning all of them. "My whole career I've always been pretty active,' he told BBC Sport. 'You're an athlete, you can't be an athlete for 40 years, you can only be it for so long. So take advantage and wish for the best. "Between super matches in jiu jitsu, Muay Thai, MMA, I'd fight seven to eight times a year. I've always fought a lot, never really sit on my butt too much. "I've had so many fights I don't remember none of them." Holland last fought at UFC London back in March, beating Gunnar Nelson by decision to return to winning ways, two months after being finished in the first round by Reinier de Ridder. Bouncing back from defeat is seemingly what Holland is best at, saying he barely needs any time to rest and recuperate before returning to the cage. "As soon as I was healthy to go it's straight back in the gym,' he added. 'It's simple, I like to stay in there and stay active. "I don't really need much time in between fights, two days is typically all a man needs." Luque, ranked 14th at welterweight, will be his third bout of 2025, with Holland eyeing a potential return to the top 15 with a win. However, Holland does not look too far into the future when it comes to his fighting career, taking things one bout at a time. "I'm just focused on one thing only, and that's the fight coming up," he said. "Treat MMA like a real job. Respect and appreciate it, listen to your coaches, and put the grind in. Don't listen to the critics, listen to the coaches."
Forbes
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
UFC Abu Dhabi Opening Betting Odds
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - OCTOBER 26: Robert Whittaker of New Zealand prepares to face ... More Khamzat Chimaev of Russia in a middleweight fight during the UFC 308 event at Etihad Arena on October 26, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) The UFC will return to Abu Dhabi on July 26 for an UFC Fight Night event. The developing fight card, which will feature a UFC on ABC main card, has a middleweight main event between former UFC 185-pound champion Robert Whittaker and the fast-rising Reinier de Ridder. When BetOnline first published the betting line for the UFC Abu Dhabi 2025 main event, Whittaker was listed as the -190 betting favorite over the +165 De Ridder. Those odds have shifted slightly. Today, Whittaker is listed at -185, while De Ridder is a +160 betting underdog. RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - JUNE 22: Robert Whittaker of New Zealand reacts after his victory against ... More Ikram Aliskerov of Russia in a middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Kingdom Arena on June 22, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) Whittaker (26-8) is the No. 5 fighter in the official UFC middleweight rankings. Whittaker has long been one of the best fighters in the UFC's 185-pound division. His only losses under the UFC banner as a middleweight have come against Israel Adesanya, Dricus Du Plessis, and Khamzat Chimaev. The 34-year-old was on a two-fight winning streak since his loss to Du Plessis in a middleweight title eliminator in July 2023 when he stepped into the Octagon to face Chimaev at UFC 308 in October 2024. Chimaev ran through Whittaker in that matchup, handing the ex-champ his first submission defeat as a member of the UFC roster. UFC Abu Dhabi marks the first fight for Whittaker in 2025. He fought three times in 2024. DES MOINES, IOWA - MAY 03: Reinier de Ridder of The Netherlands reacts after his TKO victory over Bo ... More Nickal in their middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Wells Fargo Arena on May 03, 2025 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC) Reinier de Ridder (20-2) joined the UFC in 2024. De Ridder was a two-division champion with ONE, claiming titles in the middleweight and light heavyweight weight classes. A talented grappler with 11 career submission victories before inking his UFC deal, De Ridder is 3-0 with the UFC, picking up submission wins over Gerald Meerschaert and Kevin Holland, while most recently putting and end to Bo Nickal's unbeaten run with a knockout win on the UFC Des Moines fight card in early May. De Ridder is the No. 13 fighter in the official UFC rankings. He gets the opportunity surge in those rankings when he faces Whittaker in July. De Ridder has fought twice in 2025. His win over Holland took place on the UFC 311 pay-per-view card. Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder - Middleweight Sharabutdin Magomedov vs. Marc-André Barriault - Middleweight Nikita Krylov vs. Bogdan Guskov - Light Heavyweight Ramazan Temirov vs. Asu Almabayev - Flyweight Ibo Aslan vs. Billy Elekana - Light Heavyweight Saturday, July 26, 2025 TBA Etihad Arena, Yas Island, United Arab Emirates Man Card: ABC Preliminary Card: ESPN2 We will have more on the UFC Abu Dhabi 2025 fight card as news becomes available.
Forbes
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
UFC Announces Five Matchups For UFC Abu Dhabi 2025 Fight Card
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 17: Robert Whittaker of New Zealand prepares to face Paulo Costa of ... More Brazil in their middleweight fight during UFC 298 at Honda Center on February 17, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) The UFC heads back to Abu Dhabi on July 26 for a UFC Fight Night event. The promotion has announced the first four bouts for the fight card, including a middleweight main event between former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker and the fast-rising Reinier de Ridder. Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder - Middleweight Sharabutdin Magomedov vs. Marc-André Barriault - Middleweight Nikita Krylov vs. Bogdan Guskov - Light Heavyweight Ramazan Temirov vs. Asu Almabayev - Flyweight Ibo Aslan vs. Billy Elekana - Light Heavyweight Saturday, July 26, 2025 TBA Etihad Arena, Yas Island, United Arab Emirates TBA ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - OCTOBER 26: Robert Whittaker of New Zealand prepares to face ... More Khamzat Chimaev of Russia in a middleweight fight during the UFC 308 event at Etihad Arena on October 26, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) Whittaker (26-8) is the No. 5 fighter in the official UFC middleweight rankings. Whittaker has long been one of the best fighters in the UFC's 185-pound division. His only losses under the UFC banner as a middleweight have come against Israel Adesanya, Dricus Du Plessis, and Khamzat Chimaev. The 34-year-old was on a two-fight winning streak since his loss to Du Plessis in a middleweight title eliminator in July 2023 when he stepped into the Octagon to face Chimaev at UFC 308 in October 2024. Chimaev ran through Whittaker in that matchup, handing the ex-champ his first submission defeat as a member of the UFC roster. UFC Abu Dhabi marks the first fight for Whittaker in 2025. He fought three times in 2024. DES MOINES, IOWA - MAY 03: Reinier de Ridder of The Netherlands reacts after his TKO victory over Bo ... More Nickal in their middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Wells Fargo Arena on May 03, 2025 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC) Reinier de Ridder (20-2) joined the UFC in 2024. De Ridder was a two-division champion with ONE, claiming titles in the middleweight and light heavyweight weight classes. A talented grappler with 11 career submission victories before inking his UFC deal, De Ridder is 3-0 with the UFC, picking up submission wins over Gerald Meerschaert and Kevin Holland, while most recently putting and end to Bo Nickal's unbeaten run with a knockout win on the UFC Des Moines fight card in early May. De Ridder is the No. 13 fighter in the official UFC rankings. He gets the opportunity surge in those rankings when he faces Whittaker in July. De Ridder has fought twice in 2025. His win over Holland took place on the UFC 311 pay-per-view card. We will have more on the UFC Abu Dhabi 2025 fight card as news becomes available.
Arab News
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Whittaker to face De Ridder at UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi
ABU DHABI: The UFC, the mixed martial arts organization — in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism — makes a return to the UAE's capital with a highly anticipated middleweight fight, No. 5-ranked Robert Whittaker taking on rising star Reinier de Ridder on Saturday, July 26, at Etihad Arena on Yas Island. Former champion Whittaker (27-8-0, fighting out of New South Wales, Australia) is one of the UFC's most respected middleweights, rising to prominence with standout victories over Yoel Romero, Jared Cannonier and Marvin Vettori. Whittaker looks to return in impressive fashion with a dominant performance against the Dutchman. De Ridder (20-2-0, fighting out of Breda, Netherlands) has swiftly established himself as one of the UFC's most promising middleweight contenders. Since joining the promotion in late 2024 he has showcased his elite grappling and finishing abilities. Most recently, he delivered a statement win by handing Bo Nickal his first professional defeat. De Ridder is rapidly ascending the middleweight ranks and aims to continue his winning streak with victory over the former champion. On the same card, Nikita Krylov (30-10-0, fighting out of Kislovodsk, Russia) faces Bogdan Guskov (17-3-0, fighting out of Dukent, Uzbekistan) in a light heavyweight matchup. Ramazan Temirov (19-3-0, fighting out of Karshi, Uzbekistan) takes on Asu Almabayev (21-3-0, fighting out of Almaty, Kazakhstan) in what promises to be a thrilling flyweight bout. And Ibo Aslan (14-2-0, fighting out of Istanbul, Turkiye) meets American Billy Elekana (7-2-0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nevada) in a light heavyweight bout that is expected to produce fireworks. Tickets are now available via and
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC 315: Manon Fiorot media day interview
Bo Nickal responds to criticism after first MMA loss Bo Nickal joins for his first interview since falling short against Reinier de Ridder at UFC Des Moines to reflect on his losing his undefeated MMA record, dealing with backlash from fans and fighters, the best advice he's received, how wrestling shaped his mindset on losing, what's next for his career, and more. 3:07 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
