July 5, 2026, 11:45 a.m. ET
A pair of former middleweight standouts are moving up to light heavyweight for their next outings in attempts to break skids, and it’ll be against each other.
Roman Dolidze (15-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) is set to take on former ONE Championship two-division titleholder Reinier de Ridder (21-4 MMA, 4-2 UFC) in August when the UFC returns to California’s capital city of Sacramento.
UFC Fight Night 285 (Paramount+) takes place Aug. 22 at Golden 1 Center. Anthony Hernandez headlines against Gregory Rodrigues at 185 pounds, the former division for RDR and Dolidze.
De Ridder came to the UFC less than two years ago and ran through his first four opponents: Gerald Meerschaert, Kevin Holland, Bo Nickal and former champ Robert Whittaker, the latter in a split decision.
He was set to fight Hernandez last October in what would have been a title eliminator, but Hernandez pulled out. Replacement Brendan Allen took it to RDR for 20 minutes until he retired on his stool after four rounds. A decision loss to Caio Borralho in March forced his move up to 205.
Dolidze, 37, had three straight wins over former title challenger Anthony Smith, Holland and former title challenger Marvin Vettori, but was submitted by Hernandez in the fourth round of their main event last August. His follow-up, in March, was a decision loss to Christian Leron Duncan.
With the addition, the latest UFC Fight Night 285 lineup now includes:
Anthony Hernandez vs. Gregory RodriguesReinier de Ridder vs. Roman DolidzeSerghei Spivac vs. Vitor PetrinoJackson McVey vs. Wes SchultzCarli Judice vs. Jeisla ChavesMarquel Mederos vs. Mason Jones