Reinier de Ridder wins at ONE: Warrior’s Code, earns shot at champion Aung La Nsang
(James Goyder is the owner/editor of AsianMMA.com)
Aung La Nsang would have been an interested spectator as Reinier de Ridder and Leandro Ataides squared off with a shot at this middleweight title on the line. The fight served as the co-main event of ONE: Warrior’s Code in Jakarta.
From the outset it was clear Ataides knew he had a significant advantage in terms of power. The Brazilian hung his hands by his waist and looked to tempt the South African southpaw into a striking exchange.
De Ridder wanted the takedown and secured an early hip toss, but couldn’t keep the Brazilian down. Ataides walked forward with his hands low at the start of the second round, but the strategy backfired as the South African opened up a nasty looking cut on his lip.
Ataides was given extensive treatment and came out with two flying knees in quick succession when the action restarted. De Ridder timed the second and took him down. The South African then connected with a couple of straight punches, while the Brazilian finally landed his trademark right, but without doing any real damage.
In the third round, the fight was clearly up for grabs. Ataides swarmed all over his opponent with some early punches. He couldn’t sustain the onslaught though and would have been grateful for another break when the action was stopped due to a debatable looking low blow from de Ridder.
The fight finished with both men clinching against the ropes and there was no way of knowing which way the judges would lean. In the end Ataides’ busted lip probably counted against him as de Ridder was awarded a unanimous decision.
The South African improves to 12-0, while the Brazilian drops to 11-4. Next up for de Ridder is a middleweight title fight, although it remains to be seen when and where he will face reigning champion La Nsang.
Reinier De Ridder ?? edges out Leandro Ataides ?? to earn a ONE Middleweight World Title shot against Aung La N Sang! #WeAreONE #ONEChampionship #WarriorsCode pic.twitter.com/X5l61M9NNc
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) February 7, 2020
Earlier in the night Iuri Lapicus (14-0) scored the most impressive win of his career. The Moldovan lightweight finished Marat Gafurov (17-3) with a read naked choke at 1:07 of round 1, having hurt the former featherweight champion with a series of heavy leg kicks.
Undefeated phenom Iuri Lapicus ?? submits rear naked choke master Marat Gafurov ?? via RNC just 67 seconds into the first round! ⏱ #WeAreONE #ONEChampionship #WarriorsCode pic.twitter.com/Pgt1zkX8j9
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) February 7, 2020
This article first appeared at News – MMAWeekly.com
Help support MMACrazies.com when you shop Amazon by starting your online Amazon shopping at MMACrazies.com/recommends/amazon. You are not charged extra, but we receive a small and very helpful commission on everything you purchase. Thanks for thinking of us every time you shop at Amazon.
