Ali Akbar RosadyVancouver, Canada – Reinier de Ridder is set to headline UFC Fight Night in Vancouver, where a commanding performance against Brendan Allen is considered paramount for his aspirations of securing a UFC middleweight title shot. The event, taking place at Rogers Arena, represents a critical juncture for several fighters aiming to ascend their respective divisions.
De Ridder (21-2 MMA, 5-0 UFC), a Dutch grappling specialist, was originally slated to face Anthony "Fluffy" Hernandez. This matchup was part of a broader, informal competition among top middleweights to determine the next challenger for champion Khamzat Chimaev. Nassourdine Imavov, another contender in this unofficial sweepstakes, recently bolstered his case with a decisive victory over Caio Borralho last month. With Hernandez withdrawing, Brendan Allen stepped in on short notice, a development De Ridder acknowledges while emphasizing the necessity of a finish to truly distinguish himself.
"It still means something beating him," De Ridder stated in an interview with CBS Sports, referring to 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."
The path to a UFC title shot is rarely linear, and De Ridder’s situation exemplifies this. Despite a potential win over Allen, Imavov (14-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC) is projected to hold a higher position in the official UFC middleweight rankings, primarily due to his record of victories against higher-ranked opponents. However, De Ridder, who has amassed an impressive 5-0 UFC record within an 11-month span, possesses distinct advantages that could sway the matchmakers. His activity and consistent performance, coupled with a challenging strength of schedule, position him as a reliable and readily available challenger should the opportunity arise. His recent form includes victories over established names like Paul Craig and Gerald Meerschaert, showcasing his dominant ground game and submission prowess.
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De Ridder also expressed his perspective on Imavov’s absence from the Vancouver card. "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," De Ridder commented, acknowledging the complexities of fight scheduling. "I know there are a lot of reasons not to. He just fought, but if you really wanted to figure out who the next guy was, he could have been here."
Brendan Allen (25-7 MMA, 13-4 UFC), known for his resilient and often uncompromising approach, enters this bout with a professional record reflecting his determination. While widely respected for his fighting spirit, Allen has occasionally drawn scrutiny for his steadfast belief in his own performance, particularly regarding past decisions. He maintains that he made a strong case for victory in his encounters with both Nassourdine Imavov and Anthony Hernandez, despite official judges and a significant majority of polled media members scoring those contests against him. Allen’s grappling background, particularly his submission skills, has been a cornerstone of his success, with 14 of his 25 professional wins coming by way of submission. He enters this fight on a two-fight winning streak, having most recently defeated Chris Curtis by split decision in June.
Despite the prevailing belief that Saturday’s main event will be a closely contested affair, Allen conveyed a focused confidence in his capabilities when speaking to CBS Sports. "His strength is definitely weighing on guys and being durable. His jiu-jitsu isn’t bad at all," Allen remarked about De Ridder. "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." Allen’s willingness to step up on short notice against a formidable opponent like De Ridder underscores his competitive drive and belief in his own readiness.
Beyond the middleweight headliner, the UFC Fight Night card features several compelling matchups with significant implications for their respective divisions, including key bouts involving Canadian talent.
Jasmine Jasudavicius (10-3 MMA, 4-2 UFC), representing Canada, carries the hopes of her nation for a future UFC champion. Canada has not seen one of its own hold UFC gold since Georges St-Pierre’s middleweight title reign concluded in 2017. A victory for Jasudavicius over the highly-regarded Manon Fiorot (12-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) would propel her into the top tier of the women’s flyweight division. Fiorot herself is a significant force, having recently competed against former women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko, a testament to her elite standing. Jasudavicius, known for her relentless pressure and grappling, will face a stiff test in Fiorot, who boasts crisp striking and agile movement.
When asked about the pressure associated with being Canada’s next top contender, Jasudavicius reflected, "All of the above. 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." Fiorot offered her strategic assessment of her opponent: "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."
Another Canadian rising star, Aiemann Zahabi (11-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC), younger brother of renowned coach Firas Zahabi, is also on the card. Zahabi has been on an impressive run, accumulating six consecutive victories after a challenging start to his UFC career. His most recent triumph was a controversial split decision win over former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo. To sustain his upward trajectory in the bantamweight division, Zahabi must overcome Marlon Vera (23-9-1 MMA, 15-8 UFC). "Chito" Vera finds himself in a critical position, having suffered consecutive losses for the first time in his career. His last bout was a unanimous decision loss to Sean O’Malley for the UFC bantamweight title. Vera has reportedly utilized a one-year hiatus to recover physically and mentally, aiming for a renewed performance.
Vera openly reflected on his title shot against O’Malley, acknowledging a misstep in his approach. "We really didn’t like each other," Vera said. "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."
The full fight card for Saturday’s event, including the latest betting odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, is detailed below:
UFC Fight Night Vancouver: Full Fight Card & Betting Odds
| 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: Oct. 18
Start time: 7 p.m. ET (main card)
Location: Rogers Arena — Vancouver, Canada
TV channel: ESPN+
Main Event Prediction: Reinier de Ridder vs. Brendan Allen
The main event between Reinier de Ridder and Brendan Allen presents a fascinating clash of styles and ambitions, with both fighters bearing notable similarities in their professional profiles. Both are recognized submission specialists, adept at finding finishes on the ground, and both maintain a high striking output designed to pressure opponents. Neither De Ridder nor Allen are universally regarded as elite-level strikers or wrestlers, and both have demonstrated occasional defensive vulnerabilities in past contests.
Their finishing rates are strikingly similar: both possess five knockout victories and two knockout losses on their records. Allen holds a slight edge in submission victories with 14, compared to De Ridder’s 13. While Allen is stepping into this five-round main event on short notice, his experience in headlining bouts and a proven track record of maintaining cardio over longer durations suggest that this factor may not be as detrimental as it might be for other fighters. The closeness of the betting odds, with De Ridder at -198 and Allen at +164, reflects the highly competitive nature anticipated for this fight.
De Ridder’s advantages appear to lie in his broader array of submission techniques, his consistent performance across his UFC tenure, and the benefit of a full training camp for this specific opponent. Although questions have occasionally been raised about De Ridder’s chin, Allen is not known as a one-punch knockout artist. Given these factors, De Ridder is expected to navigate a challenging, back-and-forth contest, leveraging his superior preparation and diverse submission arsenal to secure a victory.
Prediction: Reinier de Ridder via Unanimous Decision
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