Reinier De Ridder planning to be more humble ahead of ONE 166

28 February 2024

Reinier de Ridder, the reigning ONE Middleweight MMA World Champion, is gearing up for a highly anticipated rematch against Anatoly Malykhin, with redemption firmly on his mind.

In a recent statement, de Ridder emphasized the significance of the upcoming bout, highlighting his determination to avenge his previous loss to Malykhin.

"(This fight) is about one thing — he beat me last time, he hurt me," de Ridder declared, underscoring the personal stakes involved in the rematch. With a year of rigorous preparation under his belt, de Ridder expressed confidence in his readiness to showcase his skills and turn the tables in his favor.

While acknowledging the lessons learned from their previous encounter, de Ridder hinted at a shift in approach, aiming to adopt a more humble demeanor while remaining steadfast in his belief in his ability to secure victory.

"I’m planning to be a bit more humble this time ... I believe I have the skills to finish him," de Ridder asserted, signaling his intention to assert his dominance in the upcoming showdown.

The stage is set for an electrifying showdown as ONE 166: Qatar, presented by Visit Qatar, descends upon the Mondrian Doha Ballroom on Friday, March 1. Headlined by three World Title rematches, the event promises high-octane action, with de Ridder poised to defend his gold against Malykhin in a clash that is sure to captivate MMA fans worldwide.