Abbasov has decided to move up a weight class to gun for the middleweight title in the hope to become a new two-divisional king, but De Ridder believes that the Kyrgyzstani has bitten off more than he can chew.

“He’s a durable fighter [and] and an all-around good fighter,” the Dutchman said. “I just think I’m on another level, and I’ll showcase that.”

De Ridder believes that he has all the advantages in this middleweight match-up. His opponent is climbing up the division filled with bigger athletes who hit harder and despite all his talents, the champion of the division is confident that he will still reign supreme.

“I’m not underestimating him, I see his technique is crisp,” De Ridder said. “He has the heart of a champion, but when I have my arms around his neck, I can finish anyone in the world.”

The middleweight champion has a good reason to be confident in his abilities. Holding an unblemished record of 14-0, “The Dutch Knight” believes that his overall mixed martial arts (MMA) game, athleticism and size advantage will play a big role in getting his hand raised at the end of the match. The 193-centimeter defending champion will tower over the challenger; added to that, his judo and BJJ black belt will offer him plenty of arsenal in the clinch and the ground.

“I’m better overall, I’m rangier in striking,” De Ridder said. “I’ll be able to touch him when I want to, I’m [also] the better grappler, I’ll take anyone down in the world and I’ll finish anybody in the world as well.”

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De Ridder asserted that this matchup will be finished quite early regardless of how his challenger would try to fight him. Should the welterweight king be cautious in the matchup, “The Dutch Knight” will pressure him with striking before taking him down and finishing him in the ground. On the other hand, should his opponent try to rush De Ridder, he expects that the Kyrgyzstan athlete will be finished on his feet.

If his record is any indication, De Ridder is not bluffing. Of the 14 fights he has dominated, 12 came via finishes with nine submissions and three knockouts. Though his main objective this week is to retain his gold, the Dutchman is looking to have a busy year ahead.

“The only thing I want is matches, as much as possible. Line them up and I’ll knock ‘em back,” the defending titleholder added.

“Give me a fight every quarter. I don’t care who. Just line them up.”

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This article is published in collaboration with ONE Championship

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