Newly crowned UFC middleweight champion Chimaev (15-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) went after de Ridder (20-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC) on Tuesday with posts on X directed at the contender, just days after beating Dricus Du Plessis in an all-time dominant title fight at UFC 319.

Reinier de Ridder recently called for a middleweight title shot against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 321. de Ridder has been on an impressive run

UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev has made it crystal clear that he's interested in fighting Reinier de Ridder in his next fight.

His jiu-jitsu pedigree, with 70% of his 21-2 record by submission, backs his confidence. De Ridder’s recent UFC wins, including a split decision over Robert Whittaker in July 2025, make him a top contender.

Robert Whittaker opened up on Reinier de Ridder repeatedly grabbing his gloves in his UFC on ABC 9 loss. Whittaker (26-9 MMA, 17-7 UFC) was edged out in a split decision loss to De Ridder (21-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC) in July in Abu Dhabi. The former middleweight champion almost finished De Ridder when he knocked him down in Round 3, but De Ridder survived.

The middleweight division is under spotlight, and Reinier de Ridder positioned himself for a big fight after UFC Abu Dhabi.

Reinier de Ridder wasn't impressed with Dricus du Plessis' performance against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319. The No.5-ranked middleweight contender watched the action from cageside in Chicago.