Reinier de Ridder calls out Khamzat Chimaev, details wild training experience with Sean Strickland: "He told me to get out of the cage"
Reinier de Ridder’s recent victory over Gerald Meerschaert may not have been the most flawless debut in UFC history. Yet, he undeniably captured attention with the sheer grit of his performance. Despite some obstacles, de Ridder showcased his grit, and he’s already setting his sights on a return to action, calling for a matchup against divisional star Khamzat Chimaev during the post-fight press conference.
'The Dutch Knight' claimed he recently trained with former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland. He said that although calling him out wouldn’t feel quite right, he expressed interest in a potential matchup with Khamzat Chimaev, especially for the grappling challenges it would present. He said:
"I was just training with Strickland over the last couple of weeks. So wouldn't be as nice to call him out. But, why not Khamzat? That would be a nice matchup grappling-wise... It would be cool."
Reflecting on his time training with Strickland, de Ridder added:
"Very nice dude. We had some fun. He told me to get out of the cage because I wasn't part of the team. But then he came running after me and said,' I'm sorry I was wrong. You can use the cage."
Check out Reinier de Ridder's comments below:
Check out the full post-fight interview below:
Reinier de Ridder appreciates UFC's treatment and eyes quick return
After a triumphant promotional debut at UFC Vegas 100, Reinier de Ridder expressed gratitude for the exceptional support he received from the world's premier MMA organization in preparation for his fight against Gerald Meerschaert.
With the UFC’s Performance Institute (PI) backing him, de Ridder experienced a smooth weight cut despite it being his first cut to middleweight in some time. For three weeks leading up to the fight, the PI handled his nutrition, supplementation, and rehydration, customizing meals and offering comprehensive guidance to ensure his success.
Speaking about the UFC's support at the post-fight press conference, de Ridder said:
"The guys at the PI really helped me. For the last three weeks, they cooked every meal for me, did all my supplements, and gave me instructions on what to do and how to get used to the heat. Everything was planned out, they helped me with the rehydration, and they have all the meals for you afterward. I've really been treated like a king, which is amazing."