Former middleweight contender Reinier de Ridder has stated he does not rule out the possibility of a rematch with Robert Whittaker, potentially at light heavyweight rather than their previous meeting weight. However, de Ridder emphasized that he would prefer to face a different opponent in his next bout rather than immediately running back the Whittaker fight. The Dutch fighter also revealed that his next fight is scheduled to take place during the summer months, giving fans a timeframe for his return to action. De Ridder's openness to competing at 205 pounds suggests he may be exploring options in multiple weight classes as he plans his fighting future. The comments indicate that while a Whittaker rematch remains on the table for the future, it is not the immediate priority for de Ridder's comeback fight.
Reinier de Ridder has opened the door to a future rematch with Robert Whittaker, telling fans the bout could take place at light heavyweight rather than middleweight, where the two previously met. The Dutch fighter clarified, however, that a different opponent is his preference for his next outing, which he confirmed is targeted for sometime this summer.
De Ridder, who carries a 21-4 record and is ranked seventh in the middleweight division, brings a physically imposing frame to any weight class he competes in. The six-foot-four southpaw from the Netherlands fights out of Combat Brothers and owns a 78-inch reach — a full 198 centimetres — that he pairs with a grappling-heavy approach, averaging 2.68 takedowns per 15 minutes and landing strikes at a 53 percent accuracy rate. At 35 years old, he appears to be actively mapping out options across multiple divisions as he plots his next move.
Whittaker, meanwhile, sits at number six in that same middleweight rankings despite carrying a 27-9 record and one of the more active striking outputs in the division. The Australian, also 35, averages 4.39 significant strikes per minute — nearly double de Ridder's output — making any rematch between the two a stylistic contrast of volume striking against calculated grappling. The six-foot Reaper fights out of PMA Super Martial Arts in an orthodox stance with a 73-inch reach.
Why it matters
- A move to 205 pounds would place de Ridder in an entirely new divisional landscape, adding intrigue beyond a straight rematch
- Both men are currently ranked inside the middleweight top ten, so any future meeting carries significant rankings weight regardless of division
- The style contrast — de Ridder's takedown pressure against Whittaker's high-volume striking — gives a rematch a clear competitive narrative
