Is Jiu Jitsu Making a Comeback in the UFC?

The current UFC landscape is dominated by high-level strikers who can stuff takedowns and wrestlers who know how to control rounds. Pure Jiu Jitsu fighters, on the other hand, are becoming more and more rare. That’s what makes Reinier de Ridder such an interesting figure to watch.

De Ridder made a name for himself in ONE Championship where he held both the middleweight and light heavyweight titles. His submission skills were top-tier, and he tapped out some of the best names in that organization with techniques that weren’t just effective but also creative. He proved himself as someone who could finish fights on the ground, often with little damage taken.

However, his time in ONE ended with some rough patches. He was knocked out by Anatoly Malykhin in a title fight, and his rematch ended with him retiring in the middle of the bout. Behind the scenes, there were whispers about his frustration with the promotion. He reportedly felt undervalued, inactive, and not in control of the direction of his career. These frustrations led to his eventual exit.

When De Ridder arrived in the UFC, it was a fresh start. His debut came in late 2024 against Gerald Meerschaert, a veteran known for his own grappling. De Ridder won by submission in the third round. He followed that with a slick first-round win over Kevin Holland and then a TKO victory over Bo Nickal. Each fight showcased a different layer of his game. He looked sharper, more confident, and more dangerous than ever before.

Now he’s facing Robert Whittaker at UFC Abu Dhabi. Whittaker is one of the most respected middleweights in the game. He’s a former champion, incredibly well-rounded, and very hard to take down. This matchup is a real test for De Ridder. Can a submission-focused fighter control someone as technically sound as Whittaker? Or will the modern, complete approach to MMA continue to keep pure Jiu Jitsu specialists at bay?

De Ridder’s recent success in the UFC makes a case that Jiu Jitsu still has a place at the top level. When executed with intelligence and backed by the right preparation, submission grappling can still be a fight-ending weapon. His performances have been clean, decisive, and dangerous.

The bigger picture is clear. In a time when every fighter is expected to do everything well, De Ridder is proving that elite-level grappling can still shift the narrative. He’s not just surviving in today’s UFC. He’s thriving. And if he beats Whittaker, we may be looking at the return of something that many thought was long gone: the rise of the Jiu Jitsu specialist in modern MMA.