Overview
- De Ridder confirmed the switch in an Instagram video, handing out donuts to teammates and declaring he is "coming at 205".
- The move follows his unanimous-decision defeat to Caio Borralho at UFC 326 on March 7 in Las Vegas.
- It is his second straight setback in the UFC after a corner stoppage loss to Brendan Allen in October 2025.
- The 35-year-old previously captured ONE titles at weights equivalent to 205 and 225 pounds, underscoring his experience above middleweight.
- He exits the UFC middleweight rankings at No. 8 with a 21–4 record (4–2 UFC), as Jiri Prochazka vs. Carlos Ulberg on April 11 will decide the vacant light heavyweight title.