Reinier De Ridder, a Dutch submission specialist and world-class mixed martial artist, has taken the combat sports world by storm through his dominance in ONE Championship. Known for his grappling prowess, humility, and intelligence inside and outside the cage, De Ridder has built a reputation as one of the most accomplished middleweights and light heavyweights in MMA.
In this article, we delve into Reinier De Ridder’s net worth, physical stats like height, his professional MMA record, and career-defining highlights that solidify his place among elite fighters in the sport today.
Who is Reinier De Ridder?
Reinier De Ridder, also known as “The Dutch Knight,” is a professional MMA fighter from the Netherlands. A former two-division champion in ONE Championship, De Ridder held both the Middleweight and Light Heavyweight world titles.
Born on September 7, 1990, in Breda, Netherlands, De Ridder’s journey from a judo student to a BJJ black belt and world champion showcases his passion, discipline, and technical mastery.
Reinier De Ridder’s Net Worth in 2025
As of 2025, Reinier De Ridder’s estimated net worth is approximately $1.5 million.
Sources of Income:
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Fighting in ONE Championship
De Ridder has been a headliner in multiple ONE Championship events. His dual-champion status significantly boosted his per-fight payouts and contract bonuses. -
Performance Bonuses
ONE Championship is known to offer lucrative performance-based bonuses, especially for submission or knockout wins. De Ridder, with his multiple submission victories, likely earned several of these incentives. -
Endorsements and Sponsorships
While ONE Championship has restrictions on in-cage sponsorships, De Ridder has worked with brands related to fitness, supplements, and martial arts apparel. -
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Coaching
De Ridder also coaches and teaches BJJ seminars across Europe, adding another revenue stream to his portfolio.
Reinier De Ridder Height and Physical Stats
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Height: 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm)
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Weight Class: Middleweight (185 lbs / 84 kg), Light Heavyweight (205 lbs / 93 kg)
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Reach: Approximately 78 inches (198 cm)
De Ridder’s height and reach give him a unique advantage, especially in grappling exchanges. His ability to close the distance, secure takedowns, and control opponents on the ground is largely due to his physical leverage.
Reinier De Ridder MMA Record
As of mid-2025, Reinier De Ridder holds a professional MMA record of 17 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw (17-1-1).
Breakdown:
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Wins by Submission: 11
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Wins by Decision: 5
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Wins by Knockout: 1
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Losses: 1 (by KO)
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Draws: 1
His impressive record includes victories over world-class fighters and multiple title defenses. He is known for finishing fights with rear-naked chokes, arm-triangle chokes, and ground control.
Career Highlights: Reinier De Ridder
1. ONE Championship Debut (2019)
De Ridder made his ONE debut against Fan Rong in January 2019, submitting him via arm-triangle choke in the first round. This debut set the tone for his dominance in the promotion.
2. Defeating Leandro Ataides
De Ridder’s unanimous decision win over the dangerous Leandro Ataides in 2020 earned him a title shot. His grappling-heavy strategy neutralized Ataides’ powerful striking.
3. Capturing the ONE Middleweight Title (2020)
On October 30, 2020, De Ridder faced Aung La N Sang for the ONE Middleweight World Title at ONE: Inside the Matrix. Dominating the fight from the outset, De Ridder submitted Aung La via rear-naked choke in Round 1 to claim the title.
4. Winning the ONE Light Heavyweight Title (2021)
In a historic move, De Ridder stepped in on short notice at ONE on TNT 4 in April 2021 to challenge Aung La N Sang again—this time for the Light Heavyweight belt. Once again, he outgrappled and dominated the Myanmar fighter for five rounds, becoming a two-division champion.
5. Submission Over Vitaly Bigdash
In 2022, De Ridder submitted former champ Vitaly Bigdash with an incredible inverted triangle choke, earning accolades for “Submission of the Year” and further establishing his ground dominance.
6. Facing Andre Galvao in Grappling Super-Fight
De Ridder stepped into the world of pure grappling at ONE X against BJJ legend Andre Galvao. While the bout ended in a draw, it proved De Ridder could hang with the best grapplers on the planet.
7. First Career Loss – Against Anatoly Malykhin
In December 2022, De Ridder suffered his first defeat in MMA. Facing Anatoly Malykhin for the heavyweight title, De Ridder was knocked out in Round 1. Though a setback, it didn’t diminish his legacy and highlighted the challenges of fighting across three weight classes.
Fighting Style and Strengths
De Ridder is known for his pressure-based grappling, chain submissions, and tactical awareness.
Key Strengths:
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Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) Black Belt
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Judo Background (started training at age 6)
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Excellent Cardio
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Fight IQ
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Adaptability across weight classes
Unlike many strikers who rely on knockout power, De Ridder excels in taking the fight to the ground, maintaining top control, and patiently working for a submission.
ONE Championship Legacy
Reinier De Ridder is one of the few fighters in MMA history to simultaneously hold two world titles in a major organization. His resume puts him among the greatest middleweights in ONE history.
Championship Summary:
| Title | Date Won | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| ONE Middleweight | Oct 30, 2020 | Aung La N Sang | Win (Sub) |
| ONE Light Heavyweight | Apr 28, 2021 | Aung La N Sang | Win (UD) |
Reinier De Ridder Outside the Cage
Apart from fighting, De Ridder is a family man, father, and physiotherapist by profession. He’s often described as humble, intelligent, and philosophical, qualities that are rare in the world of cage fighting.
Educational Background:
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De Ridder studied Physical Therapy in the Netherlands before pursuing MMA full-time.
Social Media Presence:
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Instagram: @reinierderidder
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Followers (as of 2025): 200,000+
De Ridder uses his platform to promote health, discipline, and martial arts philosophy, often training with his team and spending time with his children.
What’s Next for Reinier De Ridder in 2025?
As of 2025, De Ridder is expected to return to action, likely to defend his middleweight title or explore a trilogy bout. Rumors suggest a potential matchup against rising contenders like Tye Ruotolo, Shamil Abdulaev, or a rematch with Anatoly Malykhin.
There’s also speculation about De Ridder making a transition into coaching, especially as ONE Championship continues to expand in Europe.
Fun Facts About Reinier De Ridder
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He has finished over 65% of his fights via submission.
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Speaks Dutch and English fluently.
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Trains out of Combat Brothers, a top MMA team in the Netherlands.
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Holds the rare feat of fighting in three divisions in ONE: middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight.
Reinier De Ridder: A Modern Martial Arts Role Model
Reinier De Ridder is more than just a fighter; he is an ambassador for modern martial arts. His commitment to grappling excellence, sportsmanship, and humility makes him a role model not just in the Netherlands but across the global MMA community.
Whether you admire him for his technical brilliance, calm demeanor, or championship pedigree, one thing is certain: Reinier De Ridder’s legacy is still being written.
Conclusion
From submitting legends to holding two world titles, Reinier De Ridder’s journey in MMA is the story of discipline, dominance, and dedication. As of 2025, his net worth reflects a successful career, his height and physical attributes give him an edge in the cage, and his record stands as a testament to his elite skills.
As fans, we eagerly await the next chapter in “The Dutch Knight’s” career.
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