Ali Akbar Rosady
Vancouver, Canada – The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to Rogers Arena this Saturday for a pivotal Fight Night event, headlined by a middleweight clash between Reinier de Ridder and Brendan Allen. The main event carries significant weight, with de Ridder (21-2-0 MMA) explicitly viewing this bout as a crucial audition for a potential shot at the UFC middleweight title, currently held by Khamzat Chimaev. An emphatic performance and a decisive victory are paramount for the Dutch grappling specialist if he intends to solidify his case for a championship opportunity.
De Ridder, a former two-division ONE Championship titleholder, entered the UFC with considerable hype, translating his global success into a strong start within the promotion. His scheduled opponent was initially Anthony "Fluffy" Hernandez (12-2-0 MMA), a matchup that was part of a broader "spiritual sweepstakes" orchestrated by the UFC to identify Chimaev’s next challenger. The other key player in this equation is Nassourdine Imavov (14-4-0 MMA), who recently strengthened his claim with a notable victory over Caio Borralho (13-2-1, 1 NC MMA) last month. De Ridder expressed gratitude towards Allen for stepping in on short notice, acknowledging the challenging circumstances, but underscored the importance of securing a finish against an opponent whom some might consider less heralded than Hernandez.
"It still means something beating him," de Ridder conveyed to CBS Sports regarding Allen. "He had close fights with Imavov and ‘Fluffy.’ At least he has history with top guys. I think if I’m the first guy, of the three, to finish him, that means something." This statement highlights de Ridder’s strategic thinking, aiming not just for a win, but a statement victory that distinguishes him from his divisional rivals. His aspiration to challenge Chimaev is not new; de Ridder has publicly voiced confidence in his ability to take down and submit the reigning champion, believing his elite jiu-jitsu could neutralize Chimaev’s formidable wrestling and striking.
The path to a UFC title shot is rarely linear, often influenced by rankings, opponent quality, and promotional timing. While Imavov, currently ranked No. 2 in the UFC’s official middleweight rankings, is positioned higher and boasts victories over other top-tier contenders, de Ridder’s potential win over Allen would provide him with a unique set of advantages. A victory would extend his remarkable UFC run to 5-0 within an 11-month span, showcasing exceptional activity and consistency. Furthermore, his strength of schedule, particularly accepting a short-notice fight against a challenging opponent, positions him as a reliable and ready challenger, a valuable asset in a division where top contenders might be sidelined or require longer preparation times.
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De Ridder also reflected on the competitive landscape with Imavov, stating, "I’ve done a lot this year. Imavov has done a lot as well, of course. I say we could have figured out together here as well. He could have said, ‘Yes.’ He could have shown up." He acknowledged the valid reasons for Imavov’s potential reluctance, given his recent fight, but emphasized that a true desire to determine the next contender might have led to a different outcome. This perspective underscores the intense competition and strategic maneuvers at play among the top middleweight contenders vying for Chimaev’s attention.
Brendan Allen (25-7-0 MMA), known for his relentless pressure and aggressive submission game, brings a significant challenge to de Ridder. Allen possesses a characteristic stubbornness that has served him well throughout his career, occasionally leading to controversial interpretations of his past performances. He maintains that he made a strong case for victory in his bouts against both Imavov and Hernandez, despite official judges and a majority of polled media members scoring those fights against him. Allen’s resilience and belief in his own abilities are unwavering, making him a formidable opponent who rarely takes a backward step.
Despite widespread expectations for a competitive main event, Allen conveyed a certain lack of apprehension regarding de Ridder’s capabilities. "His strength is definitely weighing on guys and being durable. His jiu-jitsu isn’t bad at all," Allen told CBS Sports, offering a measured assessment of his opponent. However, he quickly pivoted to his own strengths, asserting, "I think I’m pretty good everywhere. Especially when I’m mentally good, locked and focused, I think I’m the best in the world. I think I’ll beat him everywhere." This confidence, a hallmark of Allen’s approach, suggests he is prepared to engage de Ridder across all facets of mixed martial arts, from striking to grappling.
While de Ridder and Allen contend for supremacy at the apex of the middleweight division, the Vancouver card features numerous other aspiring contenders and established veterans looking to climb the ranks. Canada, a nation with a rich history in the UFC, particularly through the legendary Georges St-Pierre, eyes its next potential champion. Jasmine Jasudavicius (10-3-0 MMA), a flyweight contender, represents a significant hope for Canadian fans. The country has not seen a UFC champion since St-Pierre last held the middleweight title in 2017. A victory for Jasudavicius over the highly-regarded Manon Fiorot (12-1-0 MMA) would place her firmly near the top of the women’s flyweight queue. Fiorot recently faced off against former long-reigning champion Valentina Shevchenko, indicating her elite standing in the division.
Jasudavicius acknowledged the weight of expectation, stating, "All of the above," when asked if the pressure was stressful or an honor. "I’m super excited to be put in this opportunity and this place. To be able to do this is unbelievable. I’m truly looking forward to it. Of course, I’m nervous, but that comes with it." Her opponent, Fiorot, offered an analytical breakdown of Jasudavicius’s style: "She puts a lot of pressure on people. She goes forward every time. She loves to take people down and take the back. I punch and move, and fight with space." This stylistic clash promises an intriguing encounter between a relentless grappler and a precise striker.
Another rising Canadian star on the card is Aiemann Zahabi (11-2-0 MMA), the younger brother of Georges St-Pierre’s longtime coach, Firas Zahabi. Aiemann has meticulously rebuilt his career, accumulating six consecutive wins after a challenging start in the UFC. His most recent triumph was a controversial decision victory over former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo, a win that significantly boosted his profile in the bantamweight division. To continue his ascent, Zahabi faces a formidable challenge in Marlon "Chito" Vera (23-9-1, 1 NC MMA). Vera, a seasoned veteran and former title challenger, finds himself in an unfamiliar position, having suffered his first back-to-back losses in his professional career. His one-year hiatus from competition, utilized for physical recovery and introspection, aims to yield positive results upon his return.
Vera candidly discussed his previous bantamweight title bid against Sean O’Malley, revealing a significant mental shift. "We really didn’t like each other," Vera admitted. "If I have to be honest, I’m not the most respectful f—ing person. I fought with my dick. I didn’t fight smartly at all. My whole thought process was, ‘I want to kill this guy. I want to hurt him. I want to step on his throat and throw a rug on his face.’ That’s literally how I fought. That’s not good. It’s probably the only time I fought like that. I learned from it. I paid the price. The biggest opportunity of my life, I blew it." This introspection suggests a more composed and strategically minded Vera will step into the octagon against Zahabi.
The undercard also features several other compelling matchups, including a welterweight clash between Mike Malott (10-1-1 MMA) and Kevin Holland (26-11-0, 1 NC MMA), a bantamweight bout between Cody Gibson (19-9-0 MMA) and Aoriqileng (26-12-0 MMA), and a lightweight contest pitting Matt Frevola (11-4-1 MMA) against Kyle Nelson (15-6-1 MMA).
UFC Fight Night Vancouver: Betting Odds
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook:
| Favorite | Underdog | Weight class |
|---|---|---|
| Reinier de Ridder -198 | Brendan Allen +164 | Middleweight |
| Mike Malott -112 | Kevin Holland -108 | Welterweight |
| Aiemann Zahabi -130 | Marlon Vera +110 | Bantamweight |
| Manon Fiorot -230 | Jasmine Jasudavicius +190 | Women’s flyweight |
| Cody Gibson -180 | Aoriqileng +150 | Bantamweight |
| Matt Frevola -120 | Kyle Nelson +100 | Lightweight |
UFC Fight Night Viewing Information
Date: October 18, 2025
Start time: 7 p.m. ET (main card)
Location: Rogers Arena — Vancouver, Canada
TV channel: ESPN+
Main Event Analysis and Prediction
Reinier de Ridder vs. Brendan Allen: Saturday’s headlining contest between Reinier de Ridder and Brendan Allen presents a fascinating matchup, primarily due to the striking similarities in their fighting approaches and statistical profiles. Both are recognized as submission specialists who maintain an aggressive, in-your-face style with high striking output. Neither fighter is widely regarded as an elite striker or a dominant wrestler, and both have exhibited occasional defensive lapses throughout their careers. Their finishing rates are remarkably analogous: both men possess five knockout victories and two knockout losses in their professional records. Allen holds a slight edge in submission wins with 14, compared to de Ridder’s 13.
Allen’s short-notice acceptance of this five-round main event theoretically places him at a disadvantage regarding preparation time. However, he possesses prior main event experience and has not demonstrated significant cardio issues in extended bouts, suggesting he can maintain a high pace. The closeness of the betting odds reflects the perceived competitiveness of this fight, indicating that analysts anticipate a tightly contested affair. De Ridder, benefiting from a full training camp, is expected to leverage his wider array of submission techniques and a generally more consistent performance track record. While de Ridder’s chin has been questioned at times, Allen is not known for possessing one-punch knockout power that would exploit this vulnerability definitively. Considering de Ridder’s more extensive preparation, his nuanced submission game, and slightly more consistent performances at the highest level, the projection leans towards him securing a decision victory in a hard-fought battle.
Prediction: Reinier de Ridder via Unanimous Decision
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