On October 18, 2025, Reinier “The Dutch Knight” De Ridder faced Brendan Allen in a high-stakes main event. After four grueling rounds, his corner threw in the towel — a rare sight for a man once known for his composure and dominance. The result wasn’t just a defeat; it was a window into De Ridder’s mentality — the confidence that built him, the humility that reshaped him, and the questions he now faces.
From Dominance to Doubt: The Rise of a Dual Champion
Reinier De Ridder’s career began like a dream. In ONE Championship, he surged through opponents, capturing both the middleweight and light heavyweight titles. His grappling was suffocating, his confidence unshakable, and his mindset clear: control, finish, and move forward.
De Ridder often spoke about fighting as a form of peace — that the violence ended the moment the bell rang. He balanced martial arts with family life and coaching, building an image of a thoughtful champion who fought with purpose, not rage.
For a long time, that mentality worked. He was calm under pressure, confident in his jiu-jitsu, and undefeated — until the first cracks appeared.
The Fall Begins: Malykhin and the Mental Reset
In December 2022, De Ridder met Anatoly Malykhin — and for the first time, his aura broke. Malykhin knocked him out brutally, handing De Ridder his first professional loss. It wasn’t just the result that hurt — it was the shock of realising that belief and technique weren’t enough when power and pressure collided.
He admitted afterward that the loss “made me rethink everything I do,” confessing that he “might have gotten a bit too cocky.” That humility marked a turning point.
But the challenge didn’t stop there. In March 2024, their rematch ended in another TKO, this time with De Ridder unable to continue. Observers questioned what exactly caused him to quit — fatigue, damage, or resignation. Either way, it revealed something deeper: the toll of back-to-back humbling losses and the mental fatigue of being human after years of seeming invincible.
On top of that, frustration with inactivity in ONE added more weight. Months without fights, uncertainty about the future — all of it chipped away at the sharp, serene champion who once thrived on routine and control.
A New Stage, Familiar Questions
By the time De Ridder signed with the UFC, his career felt like a fresh start. The move promised new competition, renewed energy, and a chance to prove that his setbacks had made him stronger.
After a series of wins against strong UFC opposition it appeared as if the world had gotten the best version of the former ONE champion.
Against Brendan Allen, though, old patterns resurfaced. De Ridder started well, using his grappling to control early exchanges. But as the rounds wore on, Allen’s pace, pressure, and volume began to break him down. By Round 4, exhaustion was visible. His corner saw enough — and stopped the fight.
To the outside world, it looked like surrender. For a fighter whose reputation was built on composure and mental strength, that image stings. Critics, including Khamzat Chimaev, mocked him for “giving up.” But to those who’ve followed his journey, it felt like déjà vu — another moment where the physical and mental threads unraveled together.
Understanding the Mindset: From Confidence to Reconstruction
Reinier De Ridder’s mentality has evolved through three clear phases:
1. The Believer
Early in his career, De Ridder’s confidence bordered on unshakeable. He believed deeply in his skillset, his preparation, and his purpose. That belief built champions — and protected him from doubt.
2. The Reflector
After the first Malykhin loss, De Ridder showed rare honesty for a fighter. He admitted his faults, questioned his habits, and tried to rebuild. This humility made him more human — but also more vulnerable.
3. The Rebuilder
Now, after another corner stoppage, he faces the hardest stage: translating reflection into resilience. It’s one thing to understand your flaws; it’s another to fight through them when fatigue, fear, and failure return.
Lessons from the Journey
There’s a lot to learn from De Ridder’s story — both for fighters and for anyone facing setbacks:
- Belief isn’t enough without adaptability. His grappling dominance worked — until it didn’t. Evolving under pressure is part of mental toughness.
- Preparation shapes mindset. Long layoffs and distractions outside the cage can erode confidence and cardio alike.
- Humility must lead to hunger. Admitting weakness is powerful; acting on it is transformative.
- Heart is built in the hard rounds. The late-fight moments, when fatigue blurs judgment, are where mental endurance truly shows.
- Identity balance matters. Being a father, teacher, and business owner grounds him. But inside the cage, he must fully become “The Dutch Knight” again — focused, fierce, unbreakable.
The Road Ahead
For Reinier De Ridder, the next chapter is not about proving others wrong — it’s about rediscovering the mindset that once made him unstoppable. That means conditioning his body to match his belief, evolving his striking defense, and reigniting the inner fire that drove his early career.
Losses can break a fighter — or refine one. De Ridder’s story isn’t over; it’s being rewritten. The towel may have ended his night, but it doesn’t have to define his career.
Because true warriors aren’t the ones who never fall — they’re the ones who stand back up, ready to fight with sharper focus and deeper conviction.
Featured image (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
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