Khamzat Chimaev’s dominant performance against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 on August 16, 2025, crowned him the new middleweight champion. Days later, he targeted Reinier de Ridder, igniting a heated back-and-forth on X that has fans excited for a potential UFC 321 title clash in Abu Dhabi. De Ridder’s bold response met Chimaev’s taunts, setting up a battle of grappling titans.
Chimaev’s Callout and Response
Chimaev overwhelmed Du Plessis for 25 minutes at Chicago’s United Center, landing 529 strikes and 12 takedowns to win the middleweight title by unanimous decision (50-44). Aired on ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, and ESPN+, the fight showcased his wrestling dominance. At the UFC 319 press conference, Chimaev hinted at defending his title at UFC 321 on October 25. He then posted on X:
“RDR ” with a skull emoji, calling out de Ridder.
When de Ridder replied:
“Congrats on the belt @KChimaev. But I will show you what true grappling dominance looks like. Sign the contract,”
Chimaev shot back:
“I’m gonna make you look like [a] white belt, habibi,” with laughing emojis. De Ridder responded, “Send location,” keeping the feud alive.
Congrats on the belt @KChimaev. But I will show you what true grappling dominance looks like. 🤫 Sign the contract 😉 https://t.co/UgUBPnjdFD
— Reinier De Ridder (@DeridderMMA) August 19, 2025
I’m gonna make you look like white belt habibi 😂😂😂😂
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) August 19, 2025
Send location📍
— Reinier de Ridder (@ReinierdeRidder) August 19, 2025
De Ridder, unfazed, doubled down in a Submission Radio interview, saying, “If I get taken down, fine. If I take him down, fine. If we’re striking, also fine. I think I match up really well.”
His jiu-jitsu pedigree, with 70% of his 21-2 record by submission, backs his confidence. De Ridder’s recent UFC wins, including a split decision over Robert Whittaker in July 2025, make him a top contender.
De Ridder began in judo before earning a jiu-jitsu black belt. He dominated ONE Championship, winning middleweight and light heavyweight titles in 2019. After losing both belts to Anatoly Malykhin, he joined the UFC in 2024, submitting Gerald Meerschaert and Kevin Holland, TKOing Bo Nickal, and beating Whittaker at UFC on ABC 9. His 4-0 UFC run has him eyeing Chimaev. De Ridder told MMA Junkie, “I’m ready for the top guys.”
Michael Bisping, on his YouTube channel, called De Ridder Chimaev’s toughest test due to his jiu-jitsu. Whittaker, on his MMArcade Podcast, agreed, citing de Ridder’s ground game. Before UFC 319, de Ridder predicted Du Plessis would win with late volume, but Chimaev’s control proved him wrong.
Chimaev debuted in the UFC in July 2020 on Fight Island, submitting John Phillips and knocking out Rhys McKee within 10 days. He added wins over Gerald Meerschaert and Li Jingliang, but a 2021 COVID-19 illness slowed him. A 2022 decision over Gilbert Burns tested his stamina, followed by a 2023 win over Kamaru Usman. His first-round submission of Whittaker at UFC 308 in October 2024, named MMA Junkie’s 2024 Submission of the Year, earned his title shot. Chimaev’s 15-0 record (9-0 in the UFC) includes five first-round finishes.
