The fight at the Golden1 Center marked a critical turning point for the former two-division ONE Championship titleholder. After dropping consecutive bouts to Brendan Allen and Caio Borralho, de Ridder entered the Octagon against Dolidze with his UFC momentum hanging in the balance. Dolidze, a 38-year-old veteran also seeking a rebound, initially applied pressure with leg kicks and a kneebar attempt. De Ridder remained composed, neutralizing the submission threats and capitalizing on openings from top position.
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Reinier de Ridder Triumphs in UFC Light Heavyweight Debut
Reinier de Ridder shook off a two-fight losing streak on Saturday, dismantling Roman Dolidze in the first round at UFC Fight Night in Sacramento. The 36-year-old Dutchman, moving up to the 205-pound division to revitalize his career, secured a technical knockout at 4:01 of the opening frame.
Once de Ridder established mount, the damage became insurmountable for the Georgian. He unleashed a barrage of strikes that forced the referee to intervene with less than a minute remaining in the round. Beyond the victory, the performance earned de Ridder a $25,000 finish bonus. Reflecting on the emotional weight of his preparation, the Dutch fighter noted the difficulty of being away from his children for an eight-week training camp, emphasizing his desire to return home following the win.
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