Reinier de Ridder: UFC Loss, Record & Health Scare

Reinier de Ridder looked like he was on his way to another UFC win. Then, between the fourth and fifth rounds in Vancouver, his corner pulled the plug—and de Ridder sat on his stool and refused to continue. It was one of the more unusual endings to a main event in recent memory. The Dutch middleweight had talked afterward about blood work showing severe anemia, a rapid weight cut, and a body pushed past its limits. Eighteen months after bursting onto the UFC scene, “The Dutch Knight” finds himself at a crossroads.

Record: 21-3-0 ·
Height: 6’4″ ·
Weight: 185 lbs ·
Birthdate: Sep 7, 1990 ·
Nationality: Dutch

The table below consolidates de Ridder’s core biographical data from multiple reporting sources.

Why did Reinier de Ridder quit?

Reinier de Ridder’s decision to quit on the stool between the fourth and fifth rounds against Brendan Allen at UFC Vancouver stunned observers. De Ridder had started strong, winning the first round decisively, but fatigue set in rapidly. His corner ultimately made the call to stop the fight after four completed rounds, sending the Dutch fighter to a corner and refusing to continue—a rare sight in UFC main events.

Quit on the stool details

According to reports, de Ridder broke his hand in the first round and battled illness throughout fight week. Blood work conducted before the bout revealed severe anemia with critically low red blood cell count, conditions that severely impacted his performance. De Ridder himself acknowledged the situation in post-fight interviews, admitting his body was operating far below normal capacity.

Coach statement

De Ridder later addressed media in Las Vegas, explaining he did not feel like himself during the fight. He described feeling exhausted after the first round and progressively worse as the bout continued. The fighter admitted he had pushed himself too hard in training camp, with four intensive camps and multiple weight cuts in 2025 taking a cumulative toll on his body.

The implication: de Ridder’s relentless work ethic, which fueled his rapid UFC ascent, may have finally pushed his body past a breaking point.

Has Reinier de Ridder lost in the UFC?

Yes. The loss to Brendan Allen marked de Ridder’s first UFC defeat. Prior to October 2025, de Ridder had compiled a perfect 4-0 record in the UFC middleweight division since debuting in late 2024, a remarkable run that included rapid climbs up the rankings and bouts taken on short notice.

UFC debut loss

De Ridder burst onto the UFC scene in late 2024 and went 4-0 across an eight-and-a-half-month stretch, accepting multiple fights on less than a week’s notice. His ascent was swift, reaching the No. 8 middleweight ranking before facing Allen. The Vancouver loss ended that momentum abruptly and introduced serious questions about his durability and fight camp management.

Overall losses

De Ridder’s overall professional record stands at 21-3, with all three career losses coming by way of KO/TKO. Notably, before the Allen defeat, de Ridder had never lost at 185 pounds, making his UFC debut loss particularly significant for his career trajectory.

The pattern: de Ridder’s three KO/TKO losses suggest that when his body fails him, his chin may not compensate the way it did earlier in his career.

Who has beaten Reinier de Ridder?

Brendan Allen handed de Ridder his first UFC loss, winning via corner stoppage after four rounds. The victory marked Allen’s most high-profile win and exposed vulnerabilities in de Ridder’s otherwise dominant run.

Key opponents

Beyond Allen, de Ridder’s recent fight history includes a five-round bout with Robert Whittaker, where de Ridder completed all five rounds though his offensive output declined significantly. He also fought Benoit Saint Denis in May before the Vancouver matchup. In his ONE Championship days, de Ridder held titles at both 205 and 225 pounds before transitioning to UFC.

Recent defeats

The Allen fight represents de Ridder’s most recent professional defeat. Prior to entering UFC, de Ridder had suffered two additional losses, both in ONE Championship, with the second encounter against Anatoly Malykhin revealing early signs of the health issues that would later derail his UFC momentum.

What this means: de Ridder’s pattern of health struggles traces back further than the Vancouver incident, suggesting the anemia issue may have been developing long before it became public.

What belt rank is Reinier de Ridder in BJJ?

De Ridder’s grappling credentials are well-established through his career, though specific BJJ belt rank details remain unclear from available sources. His submission skills have been evident throughout his career, though the exact technical ranking from official BJJ organizations has not been widely reported.

BJJ background

De Ridder’s wrestling and grappling prowess has been a cornerstone of his MMA game, contributing to his success in both ONE Championship and early UFC performances. The Dutch fighter’s background in submission arts has complemented his striking and physicality.

Other martial arts

Beyond grappling, de Ridder has developed well-rounded MMA skills, evidenced by his successful run across multiple weight classes and organizations. His ability to compete effectively at 185, 205, and 225 pounds speaks to his versatile skill set.

The catch: without official BJJ ranking confirmation, de Ridder’s submission expertise remains a credential largely demonstrated through fight results rather than formal certification.

What is Reinier de Ridder’s record and fighting style?

De Ridder carries a professional MMA record of 21-3-0 into his next outing. Known as “The Dutch Knight,” he competes in the middleweight division and represents Combat Brothers. His fighting style combines aggressive grappling with solid knockout power, though the Vancouver performance highlighted potential vulnerabilities under extreme physical stress.

Pro record breakdown

The 35-year-old Dutch fighter’s 21 victories include a mix of knockouts and submissions. His three career losses all came via strikes, suggesting durability concerns when facing high-volume punchers. De Ridder’s height at 6’4″ gives him a reach advantage in most middleweight matchups.

Style analysis

De Ridder’s style favors forward pressure and clinch work, often looking to impose his physicality on opponents. His ONE Championship success at heavier weight classes translated well to UFC middleweight initially, though the demanding cut to 185 pounds appears to have created metabolic challenges not present at higher weight classes.

The implication: de Ridder must recalibrate his training intensity or risk continued health complications that undermine his competitive ceiling.

Timeline

De Ridder’s rapid rise and abrupt fall play out across a compressed timeline of just over a year in UFC.

What we know and what remains unclear

Several aspects of de Ridder’s situation have been confirmed through multiple reports, while other details remain uncertain.

The pattern: de Ridder’s medical situation remains partially opaque, with the fighter himself providing the most detailed account of his internal state during the Allen bout.

What people are saying

“My blood work, everything was in the trash. Everything was bad, but mostly standing out – severe anemia, very, very red blood cell count. I worked my body to s*** basically.”

— Reinier de Ridder, Fighter (Sportsnet)

“I still feel like sh*t. When I walk up the stairs, I’m out of breath.”

— Reinier de Ridder, Fighter (LowKickMMA)

“I f*cked it up big time. In training camp looking back, I was just pushing myself way too far.”

— Reinier de Ridder, Fighter (LowKickMMA)

For de Ridder’s next opponent, Caio Borralho, the March 05, 2026 matchup presents a chance to face a wounded ranked opponent. Borralho’s record suggests a methodical striker who could exploit any lingering fatigue in de Ridder’s system. The Brazilian’s camp will almost certainly study the Vancouver footage for signs of the same cardiovascular vulnerability that ended de Ridder’s night in October.

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