de Ridder vs Dolidze Prediction 23 August 2026
🥊 Reinier de Ridder and Roman Dolidze are set to face off on August 22 at UFC Fight Night in Sacramento. The bout will be contested at light heavyweight, marking a return to the 205-pound division for both fighters after recent stints at middleweight. De Ridder enters the Octagon looking to snap a two-fight losing streak, while Dolidze is also seeking to rebound from back-to-back defeats. With both men boasting high-level grappling skills, this matchup could open with a cautious battle for positional dominance on the ground.
Reinier de Ridder Player Overview
De Ridder boasts a 21-4 record, with 13 of those wins coming by submission. The Dutchman is a former two-division ONE Championship titleholder and made an immediate impact after joining the UFC, racking up four straight victories - including notable wins over Kevin Holland, Bo Nickal, and Robert Whittaker. However, his momentum stalled with a stoppage loss to Brendan Allen, followed by a decision defeat against Caio Borralho. Ahead of his return to light heavyweight, De Ridder attributed his recent struggles to grueling weight cuts at middleweight, and now aims to compete closer to his natural weight class.
Match Results: Reinier de Ridder
Roman Dolidze Player Overview
Dolidze heads into the fight with a 15-5 record, boasting eight wins by knockout and three by submission. The Georgian is known for finishing fights early, but his recent performances have showcased his ability to go the distance: his clash with Anthony Hernandez ended only in the fourth round, while his bout against Christian Leroy Duncan went all the way to the judges’ scorecards. Ahead of this matchup, Dolidze described the stylistic clash as intriguing and highlighted that he will have a chance to test his wrestling skills against a high-level grappler.
Match Results: Roman Dolidze
⭐️ Editor’s Prediction
While both fighters boast impressive records of early finishes, their recent performances suggest they’re more than capable of going deep into the later rounds. De Ridder has seen the fourth and third rounds in his last two outings, while Dolidze has also surpassed the 7.5-minute mark in each of his previous two bouts. With both athletes bringing well-rounded skill sets and strong grappling backgrounds to the cage, this matchup is likely to turn into a prolonged battle for control and positioning. That’s why backing the fight to go over 1.5 rounds stands out as a well-founded prediction.
