Reinier de Ridder is now a top-five middleweight after his Robert Whittaker victory.
The Dutchman picked up a razor-close decision over Whittaker, with UFC fans split on the scores, after a back-and-forth contest which saw de Ridder knocked down.
However, it didn’t matter as RDR now looks forward to a potential shot at the winner of the 185 championship fight between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev.
After three straight finishes in the UFC, the 34-year-old has now gained experience over the distance for the first time.
Reinier de Ridder surprised by judges scoring against Robert Whittaker
While he would’ve wanted a highlight reel stoppage, his fate was sealed on two judges’ scorecards, but the other scorer had ‘The Reaper’ a winner.
Speaking to the media scrum, he shared his shock at the fact he wasn’t awarded a unanimous decision in a gruelling fight.
He said: “I was surprised that one judge scored it completely wrong. I thought I had three rounds at least.
“It is what it is, I hope to finish him and I didn’t, so you never know what the judges make of it.”
But in his very cool manner, the top contender was not bothered by the outcome and gave fans a promise for the next time he competes.
“So I’ll be sure to finish the next guy again,” de Ridder said.
Wearing the wounds of a war, it was clear the ‘Dutch Knight’ was happy for the challenge, labelling the version of ‘Bobby Knuckles’ he faced as the ‘best’ he’d seen in years.
Reinier de Ridder gives his response to Khamzat Chimaev’s $10,000 training challenge
Focus for Saturday night’s victor now turns to UFC 319 and the main event, which will have ramifications for his next rival.
The challenger to the middleweight title, Chimaev, recently challenged anyone to submit him in training, and he will give them $10,000.
Asked during the scrum if he could submit ‘Borz’, de Ridder quipped: “I hope to submit him and make a little more than $10,000 in the cage.”
This division is quickly becoming a fascinating one to follow, and the August 16th Chicago show will no doubt deliver a classic championship fight.