### Reinier de Ridder Advises Against ONE Championship After UFC Debut Victory

Reinier de Ridder successfully transitioned to the UFC with a statement victory in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 247 held this past Saturday in Las Vegas. The former ONE Championship middleweight and light heavyweight titleholder showcased his skills by submitting seasoned veteran Gerald Meerschaert in the third round, earning him a promising start in his new promotion.

Following his debut victory, de Ridder did not mince words when sharing his experiences with reporters backstage. The Dutch fighter, boasting an impressive record of 18-2 in MMA, cautioned other fighters about joining ONE Championship, a promotion he competed in from 2019 to 2022.

"It's been a rough couple of years, the stress I've been put through, the stress my family has been through just to get fights - it hasn't been nice," de Ridder reflected. "Initially, they treated me well, but the last couple of years have been really bad."

De Ridder, who participated in nine fights for ONE Championship, experienced a turbulent period towards the end of his stint, particularly after his loss to Anatoly Malykhin in December 2022. He did not fight again until his rematch with Malykhin in March of this year.

"I feel like I have to speak out for other fighters. If you're thinking of signing with ONE Championship, don't. It's that simple. There are no fights, and it’s just a bad mistake," he warned.

In contrast to his frustrations with ONE, de Ridder expressed immense satisfaction with how he has been treated by the UFC thus far. He praised the organization from the top down, mentioning UFC President Dana White and Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell, as well as the staff at the UFC Performance Institute.

"The way I've been treated all week, the way you guys have welcomed me, people in the media, Dana, Hunter, everybody at the UFC Performance Institute, the nutritionists, the physical therapists there - it's been an amazing time," de Ridder said, clearly pleased with his fresh start.

Reinier de Ridder's strong words and impressive debut undoubtedly make him an exciting fighter to watch in the UFC as he embarks on this new chapter of his career.