UFC CEO Dana White expressed a willingness to grant Chimaev his wish if he's serious about it. If it comes to fruition, de Ridder thinks he is the correct contender to be standing on the other side of the cage.

Reinier de Ridder had designs on some time off after his win over Robert Whittaker at UFC Abu Dhabi but now he’s actually targeting a much quicker turnaround with hopes that he could face new middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev sooner than later.

A five-round fight between middleweight contenders Reinier de Ridder and Anthony Hernandez will serve as the main event of UFC Vancouver on Oct. 18, the promotion announced Tuesday. OFFICIAL: Reinier de Ridder vs.

Whittaker, who was quickly submitted by Chimaev at UFC 308, went on to lose his second-straight fight to Reinier de Ridder (21-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC) last month in the UFC on ABC 9 headliner. De Ridder was able to survive a Round 3 knockdown to outlast Whittaker.

Reinier de Ridder wasn't impressed with Dricus du Plessis' performance against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319. The No.5-ranked middleweight contender watched the action from cageside in Chicago.

Reinier de Ridder picked up the biggest win of his career on Saturday when he took a hard-fought split decision over former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in the main event of UFC Fight Night from Abu Dhabi.

UFC on ABC 9 (ABC, ESPN, ESPN+) took place Saturday, and MMA Junkie provided live round-by-round coverage and official result. UFC on ABC 9 took place at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. In the headliner, former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker (26-9 MMA, 17-7 UFC) took on former ONE champion Reinier de Ridder (21-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC).