Current ONE Middleweight MMA World Champion Reinier de Ridder is going into his main event rematch with two-division kingpin Anatoly “Sladkiy” Malykhin with redemption on his mind. This Friday, March 1, “The Dutch Knight” will put his gold on the line in front of a packed house at the Lusail Sports Arena at ONE 166: Qatar.

That highly anticipated showdown comes 15 months after De Ridder lost his light heavyweight MMA crown to Malykhin in devastating fashion, suffering a first-round knockout and the first defeat of his professional career.

Reinier De Ridder wants to move on and win

Now, with his ONE Middleweight MMA World Title up for grabs, the 33-year-old is ready to erase the memories of that soul-crushing loss. De Ridder isn’t proud of his performance in the first fight and pleased to get another crack at the heavy-handed Russian – no matter the weight class.

He said “I made a mistake. I wasn’t myself. I dropped the ball and I’m looking to make good on this one. “I’m very happy that it’s Malykhin. I’m very happy that it’s a chance to redeem myself, which is the most important thing. I didn’t ask for a weight class. I don’t care which weight class this one happens at.”

The Dutchman is now the only person standing between Malykhin – who holds the ONE Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight MMA World Titles – and his chance at becoming an unprecedented three-division World Champion.

De Ridder isn’t giving much thought to “Sladkiy’s” weight. Whether it’s easy for Malykhin to make the middleweight limit or not, he’s focusing entirely on himself.

Fighting at his natural weight

He plans to avenge his loss and, when that happens, he doesn’t want to hear any complaints about his opponent moving down in weight: “Of course, this is more close to my natural weight, my walk-around weight, so it’s technically a good thing for me. But it’s not a factor in my mind. And I don’t want you guys to make it a thing, either.

Also Read: Anatoly Malykhin Reveals His Preparation for Reiner De Ridder – “I Get Scared of Myself”

So when I finish this guy, when I show myself, show my true skills, show my true potential in this fight, I don’t want you guys to go, ‘Oh, he was depleted. He had to make the weight, he’s not at 100%.’ This is about me getting back on this last fight. This is about me redeeming myself. It’s about redemption.”

Also Read: “There’s Nothing That Can Stop Me” – Jarred Brooks Confesses of Being in the “Zone” for ONE 166