Ali Akbar RosadyVancouver, British Columbia – Brendan Allen delivered a significant upset at UFC Fight Night on Saturday, halting Reinier de Ridder’s aspirations for an immediate middleweight title opportunity by securing a TKO victory. De Ridder, a former two-division ONE Championship titleholder with an undefeated UFC record prior to this bout, was widely seen as requiring a dominant performance to solidify his claim for a shot at the middleweight title, potentially against Khamzat Chimaev. However, Allen, stepping in as a short-notice replacement, masterfully disrupted those plans, forcing de Ridder’s corner to concede the fight after the fourth round.
The co-main event, held at a packed Rogers Arena, pitted two highly skilled grapplers with aggressive striking styles against each other. De Ridder, known as "The Dutch Knight" for his relentless grappling and submission prowess, entered the octagon with an impressive professional record of 21-2, including a perfect 4-0 run since joining the Ultimate Fighting Championship. His tenure in ONE Championship saw him capture titles in both the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions, establishing him as a formidable force in the global MMA landscape. Allen, "All In," a product of Dana White’s Contender Series, held a record of 25-7 coming into the contest, ranked No. 9 in the UFC middleweight division. He was looking to build on a recent win over Marvin Vettori but had also experienced setbacks against Anthony Hernandez and Nassourdine Imavov.
The context of the fight was particularly intricate for de Ridder. He had originally been scheduled to face Anthony "Fluffy" Hernandez, a fighter renowned for his high-volume output and exceptional cardio. This preparation likely shaped de Ridder’s camp, focusing on endurance and defensive grappling against a relentless pace. Allen, conversely, accepted the fight on just four weeks’ notice, a testament to his readiness and willingness to seize a high-stakes opportunity. This factor would prove to be a crucial element as the fight progressed.
The opening round saw de Ridder implement his strategy effectively. He engaged Allen in close quarters, securing takedowns and attempting to establish control on the mat. De Ridder’s primary focus in these positions was often on maintaining top control and initiating submission attempts, though these efforts rarely advanced to a critical stage against Allen’s robust defense. While de Ridder managed to dictate the grappling exchanges in the initial five minutes, Allen demonstrated resilience, defending well and landing short strikes from the bottom when opportunities arose.
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However, the momentum began to shift discernibly in the second round. Allen, known for his dangerous ground-and-pound, started to find his rhythm. When Allen secured takedowns or reversed positions to gain top control, his approach differed significantly from de Ridder’s. Instead of solely seeking submissions or positional control, Allen unleashed a barrage of hard, damaging strikes from advantageous positions. Elbows, fists, and hammer-fists rained down on de Ridder, visibly accumulating damage and draining his energy reserves. Allen’s ability to inflict punishment on the ground proved to be a decisive factor, creating a stark contrast to de Ridder’s less impactful ground offensive.
By the third round, fatigue began to manifest visibly in Reinier de Ridder. The rigorous grappling exchanges and the sustained punishment from Allen’s ground-and-pound started to take their toll. Allen’s pace remained consistent, if not increasing, showcasing impressive cardio despite his short-notice preparation. He continued to pursue takedowns and, once on top, he maintained his relentless striking attack. De Ridder, struggling to escape or reverse positions, found himself increasingly on the defensive. At the conclusion of Round 3, de Ridder moved slowly and deliberately to his corner, his exhaustion evident to observers and his team.
The fourth round solidified Allen’s dominance. De Ridder’s movements became more labored, his defense less precise, and his offensive output significantly diminished. Allen capitalized on this, maintaining pressure with both his striking and grappling. The damage from the earlier rounds, coupled with the escalating fatigue, left de Ridder struggling to mount any meaningful offense. As the bell sounded to end Round 4, de Ridder’s condition was critical. He once again struggled to get off his stool and slowly made his way back to his corner. This prompted veteran referee Jason Herzog to issue a stern warning, indicating he would stop the fight if de Ridder did not demonstrate a clear willingness and ability to continue and return to his corner promptly. Upon reaching his corner, de Ridder’s coaching staff engaged him in a crucial conversation, inquiring about his ability to proceed. In a moment of frank admission, de Ridder shook his head, signaling his inability to continue the contest. The fight was officially ruled a TKO victory for Brendan Allen, attributed to retirement between rounds.
The immediate aftermath saw a jubilant Brendan Allen seize the microphone. Demonstrating his clear ambition for higher stakes, Allen wasted no time in calling out former UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis. This call-out immediately positions Allen for a marquee matchup against one of the division’s elite, signaling his intent to climb rapidly towards title contention. The victory over de Ridder marks Allen’s second consecutive win, building on his recent triumph over Marvin Vettori, and improves his professional record to 26-7.
The ramifications of this upset are profound for the UFC middleweight division. Reinier de Ridder, suffering his first professional UFC loss, sees his clear path to a title shot against Khamzat Chimaev evaporate for the immediate future. His impressive 21-3 record now includes a significant setback, and he will need to recalibrate his strategy for a return to contention. For Brendan Allen, the win is a monumental career boost. Ranked No. 9 prior to the fight, his defeat of the No. 4 ranked de Ridder is highly likely to propel him significantly up the official UFC middleweight rankings. This ascent could even see him leapfrog Anthony Hernandez (ranked No. 6), despite Hernandez having previously defeated Allen in February. Such a ranking shift underscores the "what have you done for me lately" nature of the UFC’s divisional hierarchy.
Beyond the immediate combatants, this outcome also has substantial implications for the broader middleweight title picture. With de Ridder no longer in immediate contention, Nassourdine Imavov (ranked No. 2) emerges as the most compelling and qualified candidate for a middleweight title shot, potentially against Khamzat Chimaev. Imavov is currently on an impressive five-fight winning streak, his most recent victory being a decisive performance against Caio Borralho in September. His consistent run of form and high ranking now position him as a clear frontrunner for a championship opportunity, as the division continues to evolve with dynamic shifts in contender status. The unexpected turn of events in Vancouver has undeniably reshaped the landscape of the UFC’s 185-pound division, opening new avenues for some while forcing others to re-evaluate their championship aspirations.
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