Reinier de Ridder has stated he does not rule out a potential rematch with Robert Whittaker at light heavyweight, though he would prefer to face a different opponent for his debut in the weight class. De Ridder confirmed that his next fight is scheduled for the summer. The fighter explicitly stated that a rematch with Whittaker is not needed right now. This suggests de Ridder is planning to move up in weight while keeping his options open for future matchups. The exact opponent and date for his summer bout have not been announced.
Reinier de Ridder has revealed he is eyeing a summer return and is open to moving up to light heavyweight, while leaving the door open to a future rematch with Robert Whittaker in the new division — though he made clear that meeting is not something he needs right now.
De Ridder, 35, carries a 21-4 record and currently sits ranked seventh at middleweight. The six-foot-four Dutchman out of Combat Brothers is one of the more complete grapplers in the division, averaging 2.68 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a striking accuracy of 53 percent. He has indicated a preference for a different opponent when he makes his light heavyweight debut, with only a summer timeframe confirmed and no specific date or matchup yet announced.
Whittaker, also 35, holds a 27-9 record and is ranked sixth at middleweight. The Australian fights out of an orthodox stance and stands six feet tall with a 73-inch reach. A high-volume striker, he lands 4.39 significant strikes per minute, making him one of the busiest offensive fighters in the weight class. Any eventual crossover with de Ridder at light heavyweight would represent a notable stylistic contrast — Whittaker's striking output against de Ridder's wrestling-heavy approach.
Why it matters
- De Ridder moving to light heavyweight opens a new divisional picture for a fighter who has stalled just outside the middleweight title picture
- His comments keep a Whittaker rematch alive as a potential future booking at 205 pounds
- The style clash between Whittaker's volume striking and de Ridder's grappling game would carry genuine competitive intrigue
- No opponent or date is confirmed, leaving the summer timeline subject to change
