Following his first title defense, two-division ONE World Champion Reinier de Ridder will take a quick timeout from his MMA career to challenge BJJ great Andre Galvao in a grappling match.
The two athletes had teased this bout in recent days, and they are now officially booked to square off at ONE X on Saturday, 26 March, inside the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Last Friday, De Ridder submitted Kiamrian Abbasov to retain his middleweight MMA gold in the main event of ONE: BAD BLOOD.
Immediately after, De Ridder – who holds BJJ and judo black belts – jumped on the mic and called out the Brazilian superstar.
“In three weeks at ONE X, Andre Galvao, let’s find out who the best grappler is around these parts. Let’s go man, I’ll choke you out!”
Galvao, a five-time BJJ World Champion and a six-time ADCC World Champion, has been patiently waiting for the chance to make his ONE Championship debut.
The 39-year-old signed with the promotion last November, with the goal of competing in both submission grappling and mixed martial arts.
Once De Ridder laid down the challenge – and boldly predicted that he would choke out Galvao – the famed grappler quickly accepted.
“Hey @onechampionship let’s make it happen!!! 💯👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼✨🤩 I’m ready!”(One Championship)
(Photo credits to: One Championship)