De Ridder Eyes Showdown with Adesanya, Hails UFC Star’s Legacy

Top UFC middleweight contender Reinier de Ridder has thrown his hat into the ring for a potential clash with former two-time champion Israel Adesanya, describing the Nigerian-born New Zealander as a “true inspiration” and expressing a strong desire to share the Octagon with him, Sport360NG reports.

Speaking in an interview with Inside Fighting, the Dutchman praised Adesanya’s influence on the sport and his technical brilliance.

“I really admire what he’s done in MMA. He still holds one of the most impressive records, and his recent win over Pereira was incredible. The way he fights, so fluid, so precise, is exactly why I want to face him,” de Ridder said. “It’s far more meaningful to challenge someone I respect than to fight a guy just because he dislikes me.”

Adesanya, widely known as “The Last Stylebender,” is in the process of plotting a comeback after a rough stretch that has seen him drop three consecutive fights, including a shocking title loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 293.

The former champion is keen on securing a rematch with Strickland as his return fight, potentially targeting a return to action between mid-September and October 2025.

“Probably mid-September or October,” Adesanya told Ariel Helwani during an interview. “Sean. No question. He lost, I lost. Let’s run it back.”

However, Adesanya has voiced frustration over Strickland’s silence in the face of repeated call-outs, casting doubt on whether the bout will materialize.

The timing of Adesanya’s comeback campaign follows a major milestone in his career. The UFC recently inducted him into its Hall of Fame, honouring his legendary 2019 five-round war against Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 236, widely regarded as one of the greatest title fights in middleweight history.