Reinier de Ridder: Weight cuts ‘took all the fun out of fighting’

Reinier de Ridder believes his light heavyweight move puts the fun back into fighting.

He’s competed at middleweight during his Ultimate Fighting Championship run so far. However, following back-to-back losses at 185 pounds, de Ridder committed to the 205-pound division after enduring six weight cuts in just over a year.

Reinier de Ridder explains why he left middleweight ahead of his Roman Dolidze fight at UFC Sacramento
Ahead of his UFC light heavyweight debut against Roman Dolidze at UFC Sacramento, de Ridder opened up about the difficult weight cuts at middleweight that made the overall experience unenjoyable.

“It took all the fun out of fighting,” de Ridder said at UFC Sacramento media day. “I was basically dieting year-round, struggling to get close year-round, so it was time.”

The Dutchman said his body began showing the effects of repeated cuts, particularly after his first-round fight with Brendan Allen left him exhausted.

“I think that was just too much,” de Ridder added. “It basically pushed my body way too far.”

The move to light heavyweight has allowed de Ridder to train and eat without the same restrictions. He also recently joined American Top Team, where he regularly trains with larger fighters. The former two-division One Championship titleholder is eyeing a top-ranked opponent if he beats Dolidze.

“If I do well this weekend and I can get a spectacular finish, next one is going to be Top 10 for sure,” he added.

“It took all the fun out of fighting."

Reinier de Ridder (@ReinierdeRidder) discusses his move to light heavyweight to face Roman Dolidze.

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