The middleweight division in the UFC just got a whole lot more interesting. News broke this week that two fan-favorites, Kevin Holland and Reinier de Ridder, will clash at UFC 311, set to take place on January 18th at the Inuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
Kevin Holland will fight Reinier de Ridder at #UFC311 on January 18th. (first rep. @AlexBehunin) #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN #UFC2025 pic.twitter.com/IHLFTY0kEF
— Marcel Dorff 🇳🇱🇮🇩 (@BigMarcel24) November 26, 2024
This three-round bout promises fireworks. Holland, known for his aggressive style and slick striking, is looking to get back on track after a tough loss to Roman Dolidze. De Ridder, a former ONE Championship double-champion, enters the fight riding high after a successful UFC debut.
Kevin Holland (26-12 MMA, 13-9 UFC) is a fighter who needs no introduction. “The Trailblazer” has become a mainstay in the UFC middleweight division, captivating audiences with his exciting brawls and charismatic personality. His constant trash talk and relentless pressure have earned him a legion of fans, but they haven’t translated into consistent victories lately.
Holland’s last win came in impressive fashion against Michael Oleksiejczuk in June. However, since then, he’s suffered a tough loss against Dolidze due to a rib injury that stopped the fight in between rounds.
At 30 years old, Holland is at a crossroads in his career. A win against a decorated opponent like de Ridder could propel him back into the middleweight spotlight. However, another loss could potentially push him down the rankings and force him to re-evaluate his approach.
Reinier de Ridder (18-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) is a fresh face in the UFC, but his accolades speak volumes. The Dutch fighter, nicknamed “The Dutch Knight,” was a two-division champion in ONE Championship, holding both the middleweight and light heavyweight belts simultaneously.
De Ridder boasts a well-rounded skillset, with a strong wrestling base and developing striking. He showcased his suffocating grappling in his UFC debut on November 9th, submitting veteran Gerald Meerschaert with an arm-triangle choke in the third round.
This victory served as a clear message to the middleweight division, De Ridder is here to stay. Now, he gets to test himself against a top-tier UFC middleweight in Holland, a fight that will undoubtedly gauge his true potential within the promotion.
This matchup promises to be a clash of styles. Holland, the aggressive striker, will likely look to overwhelm de Ridder with his volume and power. De Ridder, on the other hand, will aim to neutralize Holland’s striking with his takedowns and control-oriented grappling.
The outcome hinges on who can impose their will. Can Holland keep the fight standing and out-duel de Ridder on the feet? Or will de Ridder be able to drag Holland down to the canvas and dictate the pace with his grappling?
UFC 311 just got a major boost with this middleweight matchup. Between Holland’s exciting striking and de Ridder’s well-rounded skillset, this fight has the potential to be an absolute barn burner. It’s a fight with significant implications for both fighters and one that could have a ripple effect on the entire middleweight landscape.
Mark your calendars for January 18th, because this is a fight you won’t want to miss.
UFC 311 Fight Card
- (c) Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan – UFC Lightweight Championship
- Jiří Procházka vs. Jamahal Hill
- Jailton Almeida vs. Serghei Spivac
- Kevin Holland vs. Reinier de Ridder
- Rinya Nakamura vs. Muin Gafurov
- Johnny Walker vs. Bogdan Guskov
- Karol Rosa vs. Ailín Pérez
- Zach Reese vs. Sedriques Dumas
- Payton Talbott vs. Raoni Barcelos
- Ricky Turcios vs. Benardo Sopaj
- Grant Dawson vs. Diego Ferreira
