Cejudo Unleashes Blunt Truth: Why a Khamzat Chimaev vs. Reinier de Ridder Clash is a 'Nobody Wins' Trap

"Triple C," Henry Cejudo, the only man to hold UFC titles in two divisions simultaneously and claim Olympic gold, has unleashed a characteristically blunt assessment on a potential cross-promotional clash that has set the MMA world abuzz. His target? The much-discussed, yet largely hypothetical, superfight between UFC sensation Khamzat Chimaev and ONE Championship's two-division king, Reinier de Ridder.

According to Cejudo, such a bout would be nothing short of a "nobody wins" scenario for "Borz," a strategic blunder that could catastrophically derail his burgeoning UFC career.

Cejudo didn't mince words, declaring that while de Ridder is undoubtedly a formidable force, boasting an undefeated record and championship belts in ONE's middleweight and light heavyweight divisions, a victory over him wouldn't significantly elevate Chimaev's standing in the UFC landscape.

"Winning that fight, nobody wins," Cejudo emphatically stated on his YouTube channel. The reasoning is stark: De Ridder, despite his incredible accomplishments, isn't a prominent name in the UFC's immediate circle. For Chimaev, a dominant win would be seen as merely fulfilling expectations against an 'outsider,' offering minimal credit or a direct path to UFC gold.

The flip side, however, is where the true danger lies.

If, by some unforeseen turn of events, Chimaev were to lose to de Ridder, the repercussions would be immense. It would be a devastating blow to his momentum, his aura of invincibility, and his meticulously crafted trajectory towards a UFC middleweight title shot. "He loses, he messes up everything," Cejudo warned, highlighting the immense risk for virtually no upside.

The former UFC double-champ firmly believes that Chimaev's focus should remain razor-sharp on the UFC's 185-pound division, where legitimate challenges and championship glory await.

The idea of this clash isn't entirely new. Chimaev himself previously expressed interest in facing de Ridder, even suggesting a potential catchweight bout.

De Ridder, ever the confident champion, reciprocated the call-out, eager to test his skills against one of MMA's most talked-about contenders. However, Cejudo’s stern advice comes at a crucial juncture for Chimaev. Following his pivotal win over Kamaru Usman at UFC 294, "Borz" solidified his intentions to compete at middleweight, positioning himself firmly in the title picture.

Reinier de Ridder's credentials are not to be underestimated.

With an unblemished 16-0 professional record, "The Dutch Knight" has dominated ONE Championship, showcasing elite grappling and a relentless submission game. He holds impressive victories over notable opponents, including Aung La Nsang (twice), Fan Rong, and Vitaly Bigdash. Yet, for Cejudo, a fight against such a skilled, yet organizationally separate, opponent is simply a distraction for Chimaev, pulling him away from his primary goal: conquering the UFC's middleweight division.

Cejudo's message is clear: Stay in your lane, chase the ultimate prize, and avoid unnecessary detours that offer little reward for monumental risk.