Maybe a fifth UFC fight in less than twelve months was not a good idea for Reinier de Ridder, especially after the fourth one took him to deep waters. When he stepped into the Octagon at UFC Vancouver against Brendan Allen, the former ONE double champion came in on a four-fight UFC win streak. He’d already submitted veterans and outworked Robert Whittaker in a five-round battle, establishing himself as one of the UFC’s fastest-rising middleweights. But at the Rogers Arena, that momentum came to a crashing halt.

In a stunning twist of irony, the very thing De Ridder predicted in an interview with ESPN MMA, “Because we’ve seen Brendan fade a little bit in the later rounds in previous fights,” happened to him instead. After seemingly dominating the first round with clinical grappling, ‘The Dutch Knight’ gassed out, lost control of the fight, and didn’t have it in him to make it to Round 5. His corner waved it off after Round 4, ending his night by TKO (retirement). Before the loss, he was the name on the tip of everyone’s tongue for the next title shot. Now, he’s the farthest. So, where does Reinier De Ridder go from here?

Next fights for Reinier De Ridder after shocking loss at UFC Vancouver

Caio Borralho feels like the most logical next step. Both men are coming off defeats, both to top-tier opposition, and both are looking to reassert themselves in the middleweight mix. Borralho, a patient counter-grappler, dropped a unanimous decision to Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night 258 in September. The matchup practically writes itself.

De Ridder’s suffocating top game versus Borralho’s methodical, defensive jiu-jitsu would offer a technical chess match unlike most middleweight bouts. It’s also a fair test, one that could reveal whether De Ridder can adapt after a rare setback. Stylistically, it’s a slower, more calculated contest that favors recovery over chaos. Both need a win to stay relevant, and both have the skill to push each other to the limit.

But if the UFC wants something with more narrative weight, there’s another option waiting in the wings, Anthony ‘Fluffy’ Hernandez. The two were originally scheduled to face off at UFC Vancouver before Hernandez withdrew with an injury, forcing Allen to step in.

Hernandez, known for his insane pace and endurance, would pose a familiar challenge, the very traits that undid Reinier De Ridder in Vancouver. It’s a fight that would test whether the Dutchman will be able to fix the holes Allen exposed in his game. Can he maintain his composure deep into a fight against a relentless grinder? Can he find his second wind when Plan A fails?

For Hernandez, it’s the kind of high-profile name that he’d like to have on his resume, since he was down for the matchup in the first place before his injury happened. For De Ridder, it’s redemption. Both men thrive in scrambles, both love the mat, and both bring stylistic pressure that guarantees action. The narrative writes itself, unfinished business. But as we mentioned earlier, ironically, the biggest twist of UFC Vancouver wasn’t just the loss, it was how eerily it contradicted Reinier De Ridder’s own words.

‘The Dutch Knight’s pre-fight statements come back to haunt him at UFC Vancouver

In an interview with ESPN MMA before the fight, De Ridder appeared confident, almost prophetic. He discussed the late opponent switch and said, “Yeah, the first couple of weeks when it was still Fluffy, I was really, really going hard on the cardio to be prepared for what he brings. It was nice when the opponent switched. I was able to focus more on technique and give my body a little bit more time to recover.”

At the time, it sounded like a calculated adjustment. In hindsight, it may have been the wrong one. Against Allen, Reinier De Ridder dominated the first round but faded fast, his body language deteriorating as the fight wore on. The same cardio he’d briefly deprioritized became his undoing. He’d even claimed that, “I think my jiu-jitsu is going to be way better, and that’s what I’ve been working.”

Those words set the stage for what fans expected: a grappling clinic. But as the fight played out, it was Allen’s endurance and defense that outclassed De Ridder’s technique. After a dominant opening, he looked spent by Round 3. By Round 4, his corner was forced to save him from further damage. De Ridder’s problem wasn’t skill; it was sustainability. His grappling remains among the best in the world, but the transition to five-round UFC main events demands pacing, not perfection.

As such, a matchup with Caio Borralho would let him recalibrate, and a rebooked bout with Anthony Hernandez would test whether he’s learned from his mistakes. Both fights make sense, one technical, one personal. Which matchup would you like to see for ‘The Dutch Knight’ next? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!