Reinier de Ridder looks to rectify lapses in rematch with Anatoly Malykhin

Reinier de Ridder is on a mission to erase the memory of the most heartbreaking defeat of his professional career.

“The Dutch Knight” will have the chance to do so when he defends his ONE Middleweight MMA World Title against the culprit of his harrowing juncture — Anatoly Malykhin.

The epic rematch headline ONE 166: Qatar on March 1. The event broadcasts live on pay-per-view from the state-of-the-art Lusail Sports Arena.

Both men initially crossed paths in December 2022 when De Ridder was a confident, undefeated two-division ONE World Champion.

However, Malykhin shattered his aura of invincibility with a brutal knockout victory. There, he claimed one of De Ridder’s two World Titles in less than one round.

As he gears up for the second showdown, De Ridder shares insights into his mindset before the initial clash with Malykhin.

Despite being aware of his opponent’s formidable punching power, he had expected another routine victory.

“I made a mistake. I wasn’t myself. I dropped the ball, and I’m looking to make good on this one,” De Ridder said.

It’s a mistake he’s determined not to repeat. He’s now emphasizing the importance of staying focused and respecting the capabilities of his opponent.

“I’m very happy that it’s Malykhin again. Very happy that it’s a chance to redeem myself, which is the most important thing,” he said.

Reinier de Ridder holds no grudge toward Anatoly Malykhin

Despite the painful setback, there’s no animosity from Reinier de Ridder toward Anatoly Malykhin.

Instead, the Dutch’s concentration is purely on vindication. He wants to prove that the loss was a mere hiccup in an otherwise stellar career.

“It’s about me getting back on this last fight. It’s about me redeeming myself – redemption,” he stressed.