UFC Fight Night Vancouver: De Ridder Aims for Title Shot Audition Against Allen in Pivotal Middleweight Clash

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – The Rogers Arena in Vancouver is set to host a pivotal UFC Fight Night event this Saturday, headlined by a middleweight showdown between Reinier de Ridder and Brendan Allen. The stakes are particularly high for De Ridder, who views this encounter as a critical audition for a potential shot at the UFC middleweight title, currently eyed by contenders like Khamzat Chimaev. An emphatic victory in this main event is paramount for the Dutch grappling specialist to solidify his case for a championship opportunity.

Reinier de Ridder (21-2 MMA, 5-0 UFC) was initially slated to face Anthony "Fluffy" Hernandez, a matchup widely perceived as part of a "spiritual sweepstakes" to determine the next challenger for Chimaev. The other half of this equation involved Nassourdine Imavov, who recently secured a significant victory over Caio Borralho. With Hernandez’s withdrawal, Brendan Allen stepped in on short notice, a development De Ridder acknowledges while emphasizing the importance of securing a decisive finish against an opponent he considers less heralded than his original adversary.

"It still means something beating him," De Ridder informed 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." De Ridder’s strategy underscores the competitive landscape of the middleweight division, where finishes often carry more weight than decision victories, especially when vying for a title eliminator.

The path to a UFC title shot is rarely linear, and De Ridder’s situation exemplifies this complexity. Despite a potential win over Allen, Nassourdine Imavov (currently ranked No. 2 in the middleweight division) is expected to maintain a higher position in the official UFC rankings, largely due to his existing victories over higher-ranked opponents. However, a victory for De Ridder would mark an impressive 5-0 run within an 11-month span, showcasing remarkable activity and consistency. This sustained performance, coupled with a challenging strength of schedule, positions him as a reliable and formidable contender, capable of stepping up when opportunities arise.

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De Ridder expressed his perspective on the informal contest for Chimaev’s next opponent. "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 reasons Imavov might have for not taking another short-notice fight after his recent bout. "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." This sentiment highlights the competitive drive among top contenders and the implicit challenges often extended between them.

Brendan Allen (25-7 MMA, 13-4 UFC) enters this main event with a reputation for tenacity and an unwavering belief in his abilities. His career has been marked by a stubbornness that has served him well, though it has also led to some controversial takes on his past performances. Allen maintains that he had a legitimate claim to victory in his bouts against both Imavov and Hernandez, despite official judges and a majority of polled media members scoring those contests against him. These claims underscore Allen’s self-assurance and his competitive fire, which makes him a dangerous opponent even on short notice.

While many observers anticipate a competitive main event, Allen demonstrated a characteristic lack of concern regarding De Ridder’s specific threats. "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 perceived superiority. "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, despite the short preparation window, suggests he believes his well-rounded skillset and mental fortitude will be decisive.

Beyond the headlining middleweight clash, the Vancouver card features several compelling matchups with significant implications for various divisions, including a strong contingent of Canadian talent aiming to make their mark.

Canada’s quest for another UFC champion since Georges St-Pierre’s middleweight title win in 2017 continues with fighters like Jasmine Jasudavicius. Jasudavicius (10-3 MMA, 4-2 UFC) is poised for a significant step up in competition as she faces Manon Fiorot (12-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) in a women’s flyweight bout. Fiorot recently challenged for the women’s flyweight title against Valentina Shevchenko, showcasing her elite standing in the division. A victory over Fiorot would undoubtedly propel Jasudavicius to the upper echelons of the flyweight rankings, placing her firmly in contention for future title considerations.

"All of the above," Jasudavicius responded to CBS Sports when asked if the pressure of being a national hope 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 a tactical breakdown of Jasudavicius’s style. "She puts a lot of pressure on people," Fiorot explained. "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 engaging encounter between a relentless grappler and a precise striker.

Another prominent Canadian star on the rise is Aiemann Zahabi (11-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC), the younger brother of renowned coach Firas Zahabi, who famously guided Georges St-Pierre. Aiemann Zahabi has amassed an impressive six-fight winning streak after a challenging start to his UFC career, most notably securing a controversial decision victory over former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo. To continue his ascent in the bantamweight division, Zahabi faces a stern test in Marlon Vera (21-9-1 MMA, 15-8 UFC). "Chito" Vera finds himself in a critical position, having suffered consecutive losses for the first time in his career, including a failed bid for the UFC bantamweight title against Sean O’Malley. Vera’s year-long hiatus, dedicated to physical recovery and mental recalibration, aims to yield positive results.

Vera reflected candidly on his past title challenge. "We really didn’t like each other," Vera said of his fight with O’Malley. "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 refined approach to his upcoming bout, making him a dangerous, motivated opponent for Zahabi.

The Vancouver card also features other compelling matchups across various weight classes, promising an evening of high-stakes mixed martial arts action. These include Mike Malott (-112) against Kevin Holland (-108) in a closely contested welterweight bout, Cody Gibson (-180) facing Aoriqileng (+150) at bantamweight, and Matt Frevola (-120) taking on Kyle Nelson (+100) in the lightweight division.

UFC Fight Night Vancouver: Official Betting Odds and Viewing Information

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook are as follows:

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 Prediction: Reinier de Ridder vs. Brendan Allen

The main event between Reinier de Ridder and Brendan Allen presents a fascinating stylistic clash between two highly skilled submission specialists known for their aggressive, high-output approaches. Both fighters exhibit similar statistical profiles in their finishing rates, each holding five knockout victories and two knockout losses. Allen holds a slight edge in submission wins with 14 compared to De Ridder’s 13.

Neither De Ridder nor Allen are universally recognized as elite strikers or pure wrestlers, often relying on their relentless pace and opportunistic grappling. Both have demonstrated defensive vulnerabilities at various points in their careers, which could lead to an unpredictable contest. Allen’s acceptance of the fight on short notice, especially for a five-round main event, presents a theoretical disadvantage. However, he possesses prior main event experience and has not typically struggled with cardio in extended bouts.

This fight is anticipated to be extremely competitive, a sentiment reflected in the closely matched betting odds. De Ridder generally exhibits a wider array of submission techniques and has enjoyed a more consistent preparation cycle for this bout. While his chin may not be considered the sturdiest in the division, Allen is not known for possessing one-punch knockout power that would exploit this potential weakness readily. Given De Ridder’s consistent form, broader submission repertoire, and more thorough preparation time, he is projected to edge out a close decision victory.

Prediction: Reinier de Ridder via Unanimous Decision