Brendan Allen Shakes Middleweight Division with TKO Victory Over Reinier de Ridder at UFC Fight Night.

Vancouver, British Columbia – In a significant upset that sent ripples through the UFC middleweight division, Brendan Allen secured a TKO victory over the highly-touted Reinier de Ridder at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night event. The bout, which culminated in de Ridder conceding on his stool after the fourth round, dramatically altered the immediate trajectory for both fighters and the overall landscape of the 185-pound contender picture. Allen, stepping in as a short-notice replacement, thwarted de Ridder’s aspirations for an imminent title shot against Khamzat Chimaev, delivering a performance characterized by sustained pressure and damaging ground strikes.

Reinier de Ridder, entering the Octagon as the No. 4 ranked middleweight contender, carried an impressive professional record of 21-2 (4-0 in UFC) and a reputation forged in the highly competitive ONE Championship organization, where he held simultaneous titles in both the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions. His dominant grappling style and submission prowess had seen him overcome every opponent placed before him in the UFC, positioning him as a prime candidate for a title challenge. De Ridder had openly expressed his ambition to face Khamzat Chimaev, making an emphatic performance in Vancouver critical to solidifying his claim. His original opponent for the night was slated to be Anthony "Fluffy" Hernandez, a fighter known for his relentless pace and cardio, which de Ridder had specifically prepared for. The last-minute opponent change to Allen, a stylistic departure in some respects, presented an unforeseen challenge.

Brendan Allen, ranked No. 9 in the middleweight division, accepted the fight on just four weeks’ notice. Allen’s professional record stood at 25-7 (8-2 in UFC) prior to this bout, marked by a mix of impressive victories and notable setbacks against top-tier competition, including recent losses to Anthony Hernandez and Nassourdine Imavov, balanced by a significant win over former title challenger Marvin Vettori. The opportunity to face a higher-ranked, undefeated fighter like de Ridder represented a substantial chance for Allen to rebound from past defeats and elevate his standing within the division. Known for his aggressive, in-your-face striking and strong grappling acumen, Allen’s approach often involves seeking to impose his will physically from the opening bell. His role as a "spoiler" was clear; a victory would derail de Ridder’s title hopes and significantly boost his own trajectory.

From the outset, the main event promised a compelling clash of grappling philosophies. Both fighters exhibited strong fundamentals in the grappling exchanges and were willing to engage in stand-up striking. In the initial round, de Ridder showcased moments of control, securing advantageous positions and attempting submissions. His strategy appeared to lean towards his characteristic control-oriented grappling, aiming to neutralize Allen’s offense and seek opportunities for chokes or joint locks. However, Allen demonstrated resilience, effectively defending against de Ridder’s more ambitious submission attempts and preventing him from consolidating significant damage.

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As the fight progressed into the second and third rounds, a discernible shift in momentum became apparent. Allen began to assert his dominance, particularly from superior grappling positions. Where de Ridder often prioritized positional control and the hunt for submissions, Allen focused on inflicting damage. When he achieved top control, Allen bludgeoned de Ridder with a series of hard, impactful strikes, utilizing ground-and-pound to wear down his opponent. These strikes, delivered with accuracy and power, began to accumulate, visibly affecting de Ridder. The strategic difference in their ground game became a pivotal factor: Allen’s ability to transition from control to effective striking proved more detrimental than de Ridder’s submission-centric approach in this particular contest.

Fatigue emerged as a critical element in the latter stages of the fight. Despite de Ridder’s initial preparation for the high-pace, high-volume style of Anthony Hernandez, it was he who appeared to slow down considerably quicker than Allen. This was particularly notable given Allen’s short-notice acceptance of the bout, which often poses conditioning challenges. De Ridder’s energy levels visibly waned after the conclusion of the third round, struggling to rise from the canvas and return to his corner with his usual alacrity. The cumulative effect of Allen’s ground strikes and the relentless pressure began to take a significant toll.

The climax of the fight unfolded dramatically after the fourth round. As the bell sounded, de Ridder again struggled to get back to his feet, a clear indication of his depleted state. Referee Jason Herzog, observing de Ridder’s condition, issued a stern warning that he would stop the fight if the fighter could not promptly return to his corner. Upon reaching his stool, de Ridder’s coaches engaged him in a crucial conversation regarding his ability to continue. Following their inquiry, de Ridder shook his head, signaling his inability or unwillingness to proceed further. This concession led to the official ruling of a TKO victory for Brendan Allen at the 5:00 mark of Round 4, a rare and impactful corner stoppage in a high-stakes main event. The decision to stop a fight by the corner is often a testament to the fighter’s safety being paramount, acknowledging that further combat could lead to unnecessary and severe damage.

The victory marks a significant turning point in Brendan Allen’s career. With this win, Allen’s professional record improves to 26-7. In his post-fight interview, Allen wasted no time in calling out former UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis, signaling his intent to challenge the division’s elite. This upset over the No. 4 ranked de Ridder is highly likely to propel Allen significantly up the official UFC middleweight rankings, potentially leapfrogging him over fighters like Anthony Hernandez (No. 6), despite Hernandez having previously defeated Allen in February. The win solidifies Allen’s standing as a legitimate contender and demonstrates his capability to perform under pressure against top-tier talent, effectively mitigating the impact of his recent losses to Hernandez and Imavov.

For Reinier de Ridder, the outcome represents his first professional loss in the UFC and only his third overall (21-3). The defeat effectively crushes his immediate hopes for a UFC middleweight title shot, forcing him to reassess his path back to contention. De Ridder’s impressive undefeated run within the promotion, which included four victories since signing in November, has now concluded, and he will need to rebuild momentum within the competitive middleweight landscape.

The result also carries substantial implications for the broader middleweight title picture. With de Ridder, previously a strong contender, now out of the immediate running for a shot at Khamzat Chimaev, the path appears clearer for Nassourdine Imavov (No. 2). Imavov has been building a compelling case with a five-fight winning streak, most recently highlighted by his dominant victory over Caio Borralho in September. His consistent performances and higher ranking now position him as the most qualified and logical candidate for a middleweight title shot, particularly given the recent developments. The middleweight division, known for its depth and talent, will now see a reshuffling of its top contenders, with Allen emerging as a revitalized force and new challenges ahead for de Ridder. The dramatic conclusion in Vancouver has undoubtedly injected new intrigue into the race for the 185-pound championship.