One 166 Qatar: Against Malykhin, Reinier De Ridder is no longer bragging

Jakarta, Beritasatu.com – Ahead of the second meeting with Anatoly Malykhin this Friday (1/3/2024), Reinier de Ridder has changed into a calm and more mature figure.

“The Dutch Kight” will again defend his MMA middleweight belt against Malykhin in the main event of One 166: Qatar which will take place at the Lusail Sports Arena.

After their last meeting in December 2022, the two met face to face for the first time in a press conference session held last Tuesday evening (27/2/2024).

Going back, Malykhin became the first person to inflict the first defeat in De Ridder's long track record in MMA. The Russian striker also battered him grappler Holland, and captured his light heavyweight belt.

“Sladkiy” was also dominant on both feet, while De Ridder could not once bring the Russian giant to the canvas to apply his signature choke.

More than a year later, De Ridder again had a moment of redemption for his previous defeat. Only on one side, sang grappler The Netherlands appeared calmer and did not brag as much as before at the press conference session. While Malykhin made many threats through physical actions and gestures, De Ridder didn't say much and preferred to prove himself in the fighting arena.

“He (Malykhin) beat and injured me last time. Now I have a year to prepare for this fight. I train every day, and I am ready to show my abilities this time,” stressed De Ridder.

Not without reason, De Ridder is nicknamed the ultimate lockdown hunter. In his seven wins in One Championship, four of them ended via submission which left his opponent unable to do much.

He also applied this lock to dangerous opponents such as former two-division world champion Aung La N Sang, and former light heavyweight world champion Vitaly Bigdash. Malykhin's victory over De Ridder was indeed a surprise that night. Just as the Dutch grappler says, he has the ability to finish off the Russian giant at his natural weight class.

“I'm also trying to be a calmer figure this time. Just believe me, I have the ability to finish him off,” he concluded.