The fight at the Golden1 Center marked a critical turning point for the former two-division ONE Championship titleholder. After dropping consecutive bouts to Brendan Allen and Caio Borralho, de Ridder entered the Octagon against Dolidze with his UFC momentum hanging in the balance. Dolidze, a 38-year-old veteran also seeking a rebound, initially applied pressure with leg kicks and a kneebar attempt. De Ridder remained composed, neutralizing the submission threats and capitalizing on openings from top position.

Once de Ridder established mount, the damage became insurmountable for the Georgian. He unleashed a barrage of strikes that forced the referee to intervene with less than a minute remaining in the round. Beyond the victory, the performance earned de Ridder a $25,000 finish bonus. Reflecting on the emotional weight of his preparation, the Dutch fighter noted the difficulty of being away from his children for an eight-week training camp, emphasizing his desire to return home following the win.