Reinier De Ridder will return to the ONE Championship Circle at ONE 159 to defend the ONE Middleweight World Championship against Vitaly Bigdash on Friday, July 22.
However, the two-division World Champion is also keeping tabs on his recent submission grappling opponent, Andre Galvao.
After battling to a draw at ONE X, Galvao told ONE Championship that De Ridder “played it safe” in their matchup. And the reigning middleweight and light heavyweight king was not about to let that claim go without a response.
“[Galvao] was the one [in guard], so I think he was in defense mode. But at the end, he got on top [and] he tried to pass a little bit,” De Ridder told ONE.
“But it was a bit of a back-and-forth match, and it was an honor to grapple with a guy like Galvao, and it was good fun.”
Following the battle on the mat, there was a tease that the two could meet again inside the Circle for a mixed martial arts clash for De Ridder’s gold.
That is a challenge the Dutchman embraced.
“Maybe now with the new skills, it might end differently,” said De Ridder.
The ONE Middleweight and Light Heavyweight World Champion does not expect that matchup to happen soon, though. In part due to his middleweight title defense at ONE 159 against Bigdash.
Even still, De Ridder, who is never shy, was adamant that the potential bout against Galvao would end in the first round. The 31-year-old expects his well-rounded skill set to be too much for the Brazilian legend.
“It would be over pretty soon. First round, some knees to the head, I imagine. Something like that would end it, but I don’t think we’ll see it anytime soon. But maybe one day. It would be cool,” said De Ridder.
Until that day, De Ridder will shift his focus toward Bigdash on July 22.
