The desire for redemption burns bright in Reinier de Ridder's heart, and he's determined to make it happen. After a shocking defeat at the hands of Brendan Allen, de Ridder is eager to prove that it was just a fluke and that he's still a force to be reckoned with.
The former two-division champion from ONE Championship suffered his first octagon loss in a headline fight last October. It was a bitter pill to swallow, especially since de Ridder's body gave out on him, forcing his corner to throw in the towel after Round 4.
But here's where it gets controversial... de Ridder believes he should have won that fight. He claims that if he had just a few more seconds in the third round, he would have finished Allen. He had him in an inverted triangle, and time simply ran out. De Ridder is convinced that he beats Allen every night of the year, except for that fateful night.
"I'm 1,000 percent sure I want to avenge that loss," de Ridder said in an interview with Submission Radio. "I tried to let it go, to be zen about it, but it's on my mind. I need to get that one back."
However, before he can think about a rematch with Allen, de Ridder has to focus on his upcoming fight against the rising middleweight star Caio Borralho at UFC 326. It's a crucial step in his journey back to the top, and a win here could set the stage for a highly anticipated rematch.
So, will de Ridder get his redemption? Or will Allen prove that the first fight wasn't a fluke? The MMA world is watching, and the debate is sure to spark some passionate discussions. What do you think? Should de Ridder get a second chance, or is Allen's victory a true testament to his skill? Let us know in the comments!
