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UFC Star Reinier de Ridder Announces Light Heavyweight Move After Loss
The former two-division ONE Championship titleholder is vacating the UFC middleweight division.
Mar. 11, 2026 at 6:33pm
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After suffering his second loss in the UFC at UFC 326, middleweight contender Reinier de Ridder has announced that he will be moving up to the light heavyweight division. De Ridder, a former two-division champion in ONE Championship, had won his first four fights in the UFC before losing to Brendan Allen and now Caio Borralho. With the UFC light heavyweight title currently vacant, de Ridder's move up in weight comes at an opportune time as Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg are set to compete for the belt at UFC 327.
Why it matters
De Ridder's move to light heavyweight shakes up the UFC's middleweight division, which has been dominated by undefeated star Khamzat Chimaev. De Ridder was considered a potential title challenger, so his departure leaves the division with fewer top contenders. The light heavyweight title picture is also in flux, making de Ridder's timing notable as he looks to become a two-division UFC champion.
The details
After losing to Caio Borralho via unanimous decision at UFC 326, de Ridder took to Instagram to announce his move up to light heavyweight. The former two-division champion in ONE Championship had won his first four fights in the UFC before suffering losses to Brendan Allen and now Borralho. With the UFC light heavyweight title currently vacant, de Ridder's decision to move up in weight comes as Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg are set to compete for the belt at UFC 327.
- De Ridder lost to Caio Borralho at UFC 326 on March 11, 2026.
- Prochazka and Ulberg will fight for the vacant UFC light heavyweight title at UFC 327 on April 11, 2026.
The players
Reinier de Ridder
A former two-division champion in ONE Championship who has compiled a 4-2 record in the UFC, most recently losing to Caio Borralho at UFC 326.
Caio Borralho
A UFC middleweight contender who defeated Reinier de Ridder via unanimous decision at UFC 326.
Jiri Prochazka
The former UFC light heavyweight champion who vacated the title due to a shoulder injury, and will now face Carlos Ulberg for the vacant belt at UFC 327.
Carlos Ulberg
A UFC light heavyweight contender who will face Jiri Prochazka for the vacant UFC light heavyweight title at UFC 327.
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.
The takeaway
De Ridder's move to light heavyweight shakes up the UFC's middleweight division and presents an opportunity for the former two-division champion to become a two-division titleholder in the UFC as well, with the light heavyweight title currently vacant.
