Reineir de Ridder seems happy about his recent change in scenery. After a successful UFC debut yesterday, the former One Championship double champ spared no words when asked about his former home.
Related: UFC Results: Neil Magny-Carlos Prates Headline Final Apex Show Of 2024
“If you think of signing to One Championship, don’t,” RDR bluntly stated. “It’s just that simple. You should not. There’s nothing there. There’s no fights. You’re just wrong if you do this,” he continued.
De Ridder held both the 205 and 225 belts for One Championship, successfully defended both, but was noticeably inactive after losing to Anatoly Malykhin in December of 2022. He returned 15 months later, dropping the second belt to Malykhin.
He competed outside of One Championship for the first time since 2019 in July when he scored a quick TKO at UAE Warriors.
“It’s been a bad couple of years. The stress I’ve been put through, the stress my family’s been put through to even get fights. It hasn’t been nice,” De Ridder said of the inactivity. “In the beginning they [One Championship] treated me well. But over the last couple of years, it’s been really bad.”
RDR Among Several Disgruntled One Championship Veterans
De Ridder’s frustrations with One Championship are shared among others that have competed for the promotion. Just days ago, Marcus Almeida spoke about his 15-month layoff.
Also Read: Boxing Results: Jaron Ennis Gets By Karen Chukhadzhian, Defends Title
“I’ve been ready since my last fight,” Almeida said to MMA Junkie. “Unfortunately, that’s not up to me, that’s because of the organization.”
Sage Northcutt, a heavily publicized free agent acquisition, recently departed after a four-year absence following his One Championship debut. The “mutually agreed” upon separation was reportedly fueled by a controversial fight cancellation in April of 2021.
Northcutt picked up his lone win in the promotion in 2023.
Mikey Musumeci also parted from One Championship after being stripped of the flyweight submission grappling title. Musumeci failed to make weight after a late opponent switch forced him to cut 35 pounds in just five days.
One Championship has undergone financial hardships prompting the recent layoff of dozens of employees.
Also Read: Max Holloway Plots to Follow Alex Pereira’s Unique Blueprint After UFC 308 KO Loss
