ONE Championship’s light heavyweight and middleweight king Reinier De Ridder concluded his tour of America after visiting several of the top gyms and coaches around the country.
“The Dutch Knight” began his excursion with a trip to Sanford MMA, where he was able to train with numerous athletes, including the man he dethroned for both the ONE Light Heavyweight and Middleweight World Championships, Aung La N Sang.
De Ridder was able to learn under Dutch legend Henri Hooft and sparred with Tyrone Spong as well.
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The next stop on his tour was with American Top Team.
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While at the famed gym, De Ridder posed with his fellow ONE superstars Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida and ONE Flyweight World Champion Adriano Moraes.
And then De Ridder flew to Austin, Texas, for his final leg, where he claimed he ascended to “Jiu-Jitsu heaven” in an Instagram post.
“I’m not a guy to idolize people, but I have always looked up to what John Danaher and Gordon Ryan are doing in grappling. And they did not disappoint,” wrote De Ridder.
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“Their technical ability and the way they approach techniques is something every martial artist on the planet can learn from. I’m just incredibly grateful that I can travel the world and train with the best of the best and they actually know who I am and welcome me with open arms.”
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While De Ridder got to have fun on the mats with various gyms and training partners, the expedition will pay dividends for his overall development. The two-division World Champion continues to seek knowledge and expands his horizons.
It is a difficult thought for any of his challengers who are awaiting their crack at the gold.
Already one of the world’s top athletes, De Ridder’s continued growth will make him an undeniable force as he carves out his legacy in the sport.
