Published 50 days ago
Reinier de Ridder’s Final Test: Dropping to 84 kg to Face Light Heavyweights
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Reinier de Ridder endured one of the toughest weeks of his career before his fight against Caio Borralho. Between an grueling weight cut and extreme fatigue, the Dutchman decided to move up to the light heavyweight division, officially transitioning out of middleweight.
To remember:
- Reinier de Ridder called his final week of preparation before his fight against Caio Borralho the worst fight week of his career.
- The difficulties during the weight cut to 84 kg were so intense that he decided to move up to the light heavyweight division.
- De Ridder described extreme fatigue and rock-bottom morale during that grueling week.
- This experience sealed his decision to leave the middleweight division for good.
- The transition to light heavyweight was officially confirmed in his fight against Roman Dolidze at UFC Sacramento.
Reinier de Ridder, former double champion of One Championship, recently shared the harrowing details of his preparation before his clash with Caio Borralho last March. The Dutchman did not hesitate to call it the worst fight week of his entire career, a period marked by unprecedented physical and mental challenges.
The weight cut to reach 84 kg proved far more grueling than expected. De Ridder explained that this ordeal even surpassed the difficulties he faced in his previous loss to Brendan Allen, where he tapped out before the final round. Nothing seemed to go as planned: fatigue was piling up, and morale was taking a hit. Incredibly, the athlete admitted he hit rock bottom during that fateful week, yet without suffering any major medical issues.
A Decisive Turning Point in His Career
This grueling experience marked a turning point in De Ridder’s career. Faced with the magnitude of the sacrifices required to stay in the middleweight division, he made a radical decision: to leave that weight class for good. This transition was officially confirmed in his fight against Roman Dolidze at UFC Sacramento, where he made his debut in the light heavyweight division.
This decision was not made lightly. De Ridder carefully considered the consequences of his weight cut, realizing that the sacrifices had become too heavy to bear. His move to light heavyweight symbolizes not only a new athletic chapter but also a commitment to preserving his long-term health and performance.
The week of suffering Reinier de Ridder endured before his fight against Caio Borralho highlights the extreme challenges faced by elite athletes. His decision to move up to light heavyweight marks a new chapter in his career, where health and performance now take precedence over excessive sacrifices.