De Ridder vs. Allen Headlines UFC Fight Night Vancouver: Title Aspirations and Canadian Hopes on the Line

Vancouver, Canada – UFC Fight Night in Vancouver is set to deliver a pivotal middleweight clash as Reinier de Ridder faces Brendan Allen, with significant title implications hanging in the balance. The main event serves as a crucial audition for de Ridder, who aims to solidify his claim for a shot at the UFC middleweight championship, potentially against Khamzat Chimaev. An emphatic performance at Rogers Arena is considered paramount for the Dutch grappling sensation to advance his case.

Reinier de Ridder, boasting a formidable professional record of 21 wins and 2 losses, was initially slated to meet Anthony "Fluffy" Hernandez. This bout was part of an informal "sweepstakes" among top middleweight contenders designed to identify the next challenger for Chimaev, a division that has seen considerable movement and speculation. The other prominent contender in this unofficial competition is Nassourdine Imavov, who recently secured a decisive victory over Caio Borralho last month, further complicating the divisional landscape. De Ridder has expressed gratitude for Allen stepping in on short notice but acknowledges that securing a finish against an opponent less heralded than Hernandez is crucial to his title aspirations.

"It still means something beating him," de Ridder stated 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 sentiment underscores de Ridder’s strategic approach to the fight, recognizing the need to make a definitive statement against a resilient opponent, particularly given Allen’s track record of competitive bouts against other top contenders.

The path to a UFC title shot is rarely linear, and the middleweight division is no exception. While a victory over Allen would extend de Ridder’s impressive winning streak, Nassourdine Imavov, currently ranked higher at No. 2, is expected to maintain his superior position in the official UFC middleweight rankings. Imavov also holds a resume featuring victories over higher-ranked opponents. However, de Ridder’s potential advantages following another win are significant: an unblemished 5-0 run within the UFC over an 11-month period, coupled with a challenging strength of schedule that positions him as a reliable and readily available contender.

Related News :

De Ridder openly addressed the competitive dynamics with Imavov, suggesting a direct confrontation could have resolved their respective claims. "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 Imavov’s recent activity but also implying a missed opportunity for a clearer path to contention. "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, with a professional record of 25 wins and 7 losses, brings a reputation for stubbornness and resilience into the octagon. While this trait has largely served him well throughout his career, it has occasionally drawn scrutiny. Allen maintains that he had legitimate claims to victory in his bouts against Imavov and Hernandez, despite official judges’ scorecards and the consensus among polled media members ruling against him. Although Saturday’s main event is widely anticipated to be competitive, Allen conveyed a distinct lack of concern 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. "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 confidence highlights the competitive nature of the main event, as both fighters believe they hold the advantage across various aspects of mixed martial arts. De Ridder, known for his elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and relentless pressure, will test Allen’s grappling and defensive capabilities, while Allen’s improving striking and submission game will challenge de Ridder’s less heralded stand-up defense.

Beyond the headlining middleweight clash, the Vancouver card features several significant bouts, including those with particular interest for Canadian fight fans. Jasmine Jasudavicius, a rising star in the women’s flyweight division, carries the hopes of a nation eager for a new UFC champion. Canada has not seen one since Georges St-Pierre clinched the middleweight title in 2017. A victory for Jasudavicius (10-3) over the highly-regarded Manon Fiorot (12-1), who recently contested for the women’s flyweight championship against Valentina Shevchenko, would significantly elevate her standing near the top of the divisional queue.

Jasudavicius acknowledged the weight of expectation. "All of the above," she stated when asked if the pressure was stressful or a badge of 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." Fiorot, for her part, offered a tactical breakdown of her opponent. "She puts a lot of pressure on people," Fiorot told CBS Sports. "She goes forward every time. She loves to take people down and take the back. I punch and move, and fight with space." The clash of styles promises a compelling encounter, with Fiorot’s precision striking and movement potentially countering Jasudavicius’s relentless forward pressure and grappling.

Another prominent Canadian figure on the card is Aiemann Zahabi (12-2), the younger brother of Georges St-Pierre’s longtime coach, Firas Zahabi. Aiemann has compiled an impressive six consecutive wins in the bantamweight division after an initially challenging start to his UFC career. His most recent victory was a controversial decision over former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo, a result that sparked considerable debate among fans and analysts. To continue his ascent, Zahabi faces a formidable challenge in Marlon Vera (21-9-1). "Chito" Vera finds himself in a critical position, coming off his first consecutive losses in the UFC. His one-year hiatus, reportedly used to address physical ailments and mental recalibration, including shedding ego, is hoped to yield positive results in his return.

Vera candidly reflected on his failed bid for the UFC bantamweight title against Sean O’Malley. "We really didn’t like each other," Vera stated. "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." Vera’s introspection suggests a renewed focus and a more disciplined approach to his fighting, which will be tested against Zahabi’s calculated style.

The fight card also features other compelling matchups. In the welterweight division, Mike Malott (11-2-1) faces Kevin Holland (26-12), a bout expected to deliver fireworks given both fighters’ aggressive styles. Bantamweights Cody Gibson (20-9) and Aoriqileng (26-12) are set to clash, while Matt Frevola (11-4-1) takes on Kyle Nelson (15-6-1) in a lightweight contest.

Below is the full fight card for Saturday, along with the latest betting odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook:

UFC Fight Night: De Ridder vs. Allen – Fight Card & 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: October 18
Start Time: 7 p.m. ET (main card)
Location: Rogers Arena — Vancouver, Canada
TV Channel: ESPN+

Main Event Analysis: Reinier de Ridder vs. Brendan Allen

The headlining bout between Reinier de Ridder and Brendan Allen presents a complex stylistic matchup. Both fighters are recognized for their submission expertise and tendency to maintain high striking output, often pressing the action. Neither is typically lauded as an elite-level striker or a dominant pure wrestler, and both have exhibited occasional defensive vulnerabilities. Intriguingly, their finishing rates bear a near-identical pattern: both possess five knockout victories and two knockout losses, with Allen holding a slight edge in submission wins (14 to de Ridder’s 13).

While Allen accepted the fight on relatively short notice, which could theoretically place him at a disadvantage in a five-round contest, he possesses prior main event experience and typically exhibits strong cardio. The betting odds, which position de Ridder as a moderate favorite at -198 and Allen as a +164 underdog, reflect the anticipated closeness of the contest. De Ridder, known for a wider array of submission techniques, coupled with his consistent performance record and a full preparation camp, enters the bout with certain strategic advantages. Although de Ridder’s chin has been tested in past fights, Allen is not predominantly known for one-punch knockout power. Considering de Ridder’s technical grappling prowess and consistent output over longer durations, a decision victory appears to be a plausible outcome for the Dutchman. The fight is projected to be a competitive affair, with de Ridder likely securing a narrow win.