Reinier de Ridder’s recent fight at UFC 326 ended in a unanimous decision loss to Caio Borralho, marking a significant moment in his career.
Did Reinier de Ridder’s recent loss signal a turning point in his career?
On March 7, 2026, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Reinier de Ridder faced Caio Borralho in a highly anticipated matchup at UFC 326. De Ridder, once a two-division champion in ONE Championship, suffered a unanimous decision defeat, with all three judges scoring the bout 30-27 in favor of Borralho. This outcome raises questions about de Ridder’s trajectory in the competitive middleweight division.
Prior to this fight, both athletes were ranked closely in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings, with Borralho at No. 9 and de Ridder at No. 8. The stakes were high, especially for Borralho, who was looking to rebound from a previous loss to Nassourdine Imavov. For de Ridder, the fight marked a chance to recover from a setback against Brendan Allen in his last outing.
The fight began with Borralho quickly establishing his striking, landing a spinning body kick and a leg kick that set the tone for the match. Despite de Ridder’s attempts to take the fight to the ground with multiple takedown attempts, he struggled to find his rhythm against the taller and more agile Borralho, who stands at 6’1″ compared to de Ridder’s 6’4″ height.
Throughout the bout, both fighters engaged in significant striking exchanges, showcasing their skills and determination. Borralho’s ability to maintain distance and effectively counter de Ridder’s strategies ultimately proved decisive. After the fight, Borralho expressed his ambitions, calling out former champion Dricus Du Plessis, signaling his intent to climb the ranks further.
With this victory, Borralho improved his professional record to 18-2 in MMA and 8-1 in the UFC, while de Ridder’s record fell to 21-4 in MMA and 4-2 in the UFC. The loss is particularly notable for de Ridder, who had previously been a dominant force in his weight class, known for his grappling prowess and submission skills, with 14 of his career wins coming by way of submission.
Caio Borralho reflected on his performance, stating, “I wanted to KO this guy, but he’s so tall and awkward, I couldn’t get my punches right.” His remarks highlight the challenges he faced against de Ridder’s physical attributes, yet they also underscore his determination to succeed in the octagon.
As the dust settles from UFC 326, the future remains uncertain for de Ridder. Will he be able to bounce back from this defeat and reclaim his status in the middleweight division? Details remain unconfirmed regarding his next steps, but the fight has undoubtedly raised significant questions about his path forward in the sport.
