{"id":529785,"date":"2026-03-11T19:41:09","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T19:41:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/529785\/"},"modified":"2026-03-11T19:41:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T19:41:09","slug":"ufc-star-announces-major-career-decision-after-suffering-loss-at-ufc-326","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/529785\/","title":{"rendered":"UFC Star Announces Major Career Decision After Suffering Loss At UFC 326"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the UFC\u2019s top-ranked middleweight contenders has decided to move up a weight class following his latest setback. <\/p>\n

Currently ruled over by undefeated UFC star Khamzat Chimaev, the UFC\u2019s middleweight division has a few fighters that are possible candidates for a title shot whenever Chimaev is finally ready to make his first Octagon appearance<\/a> of 2026. <\/p>\n

Last weekend\u2019s UFC 326 co-main event between Caio Borralho and Reinier de Ridder<\/a> was a pivotal bout for the division\u2019s title picture, and it was Borralho who got his hand raised via unanimous decision and returned to the win column after suffering his first UFC loss against Nassourdine Imavov last September. <\/p>\n

Reinier de Ridder Announces Light Heavyweight Move After UFC 326<\/p>\n

A former two-division titleholder with ONE Championship, de Ridder began his UFC career with four-straight victories after joining the promotion in 2024. <\/p>\n

\"Caio<\/p>\n

Caio Borralho (red gloves) greets Reinier De Ridder (blue gloves) after their fight during UFC 326 at T-Mobile Arena. | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Like Borralho, de Ridder also came into UFC 326 following his first UFC loss after he retired on the stool against Brendan Allen <\/a>in the main event of UFC Vancouver. Taking to Instagram<\/a> the week after he came up short against Borralho, \u201cRDR\u201d decided to have a bit of fun with the way he announced that he\u2019ll be vacating the middleweight division in favor of a return to light heavyweight. <\/p>\n

UFC 327 Main Event Will Crown A New Light Heavyweight Champion<\/p>\n

Already a proven championship-level fighter at 205 lbs., de Ridder\u2019s decision to move back up to light heavyweight comes following the news that Ji\u0159\u00ed Proch\u00e1zka and Carlos Ulberg will square off for division\u2019s vacant belt in the headlining bout for UFC 327<\/a> on April 11. <\/p>\n

Proch\u00e1zka previously won the UFC\u2019s light heavyweight belt with a last-minute submission following an epic war with Glover Teixeira at UFC 275, but the Czech star unfortunately made the decision to vacate the belt when he was sidelined with a serious shoulder injury. The 33-year-old\u2019s return fight against Alex Pereira at UFC 295 saw Proch\u00e1zka suffered a stoppage-loss in the second round, and he also suffered the same fate when he met Pereira in a rematch at UFC 303. <\/p>\n

\"Alex<\/p>\n

Alex Pereira (left) against Jiri Prochazka during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. | Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

\u201cPoatan\u201d had his initial light heavyweight title reign ended by Magomed Ankalaev a year ago before making short work of Ankalaev in their immediate rematch at UFC 320. Pereira will now attempt to make history as a three-division UFC champion<\/a> when he faces Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight belt this summer<\/a>, and the Brazilian\u2019s decision to vacate the light heavyweight belt makes de Ridder\u2019s move to the division that much more interesting. <\/p>\n