UFC Fight Night Vancouver: De Ridder and Allen Clash as Middleweight Title Picture Intensifies

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Reinier de Ridder is set to face Brendan Allen in a pivotal middleweight clash at UFC Fight Night, a bout widely viewed as a crucial audition for De Ridder’s aspirations for a shot at the UFC middleweight title, potentially against champion Khamzat Chimaev. An impressive performance, particularly a finish, is considered paramount for the Dutch fighter to strengthen his case in a division ripe with contenders.

De Ridder, holding a professional record of 21 wins and 2 losses, was originally slated to meet Anthony "Fluffy" Hernandez on Saturday. This matchup was part of an unofficial "sweepstakes" to identify Chimaev’s next challenger. The other prominent contender in this narrative is Nassourdine Imavov, who recently secured a significant victory over Caio Borralho last month, further solidifying his position in the rankings. De Ridder acknowledged Allen’s willingness to step in on short notice, emphasizing the importance of securing a definitive finish against an opponent he perceives as less heralded than Hernandez.

"It still means something beating him," De Ridder stated in an interview with 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."

The path to a UFC title shot is rarely linear or solely dictated by ranking. While Imavov (No. 2) is expected to hold a higher position in the official UFC middleweight rankings even if De Ridder triumphs over Allen, Imavov also boasts victories over higher-ranked opponents on his record. However, De Ridder could present a compelling argument with another win, extending his active UFC winning streak to 5-0 within an 11-month span. This level of activity, combined with a strength of schedule that positions him as a reliable challenger, could make him an attractive option for the promotion, especially in a division where timely contenders are often sought.

Related News :

De Ridder also took the opportunity to comment on Imavov’s absence from the Vancouver card, implying a potential missed opportunity to definitively settle the pecking order. "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 remarked. "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 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 has notably contended that he should have been awarded victories in his prior bouts against both Imavov and Hernandez, despite official judges and a majority of polled media members scoring those contests against him. For instance, in his fight against Imavov, the official decision was a unanimous decision loss, a sentiment largely echoed by MMA Decisions.

Despite widespread expectations for a competitive main event on Saturday, Allen expressed a degree of unconcern 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 stems from a diverse skillset and a belief in his own mental fortitude when fully engaged.

Undercard Highlights: Canadian Hopes and Veteran Redemption

Beyond the middleweight main event, the UFC Fight Night card in Vancouver features several compelling matchups, including key bouts involving rising Canadian talents and seasoned veterans seeking to re-establish their presence.

Jasmine Jasudavicius, representing Canada, carries the hopes of her nation as she navigates the women’s flyweight division. Canada has not seen a UFC champion since Georges St-Pierre’s historic middleweight title win in 2017. A victory for Jasudavicius over Manon Fiorot, a formidable opponent who recently challenged women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko, would significantly elevate her standing and place her near the top of the contender queue.

Jasudavicius acknowledged the dual nature of the pressure she faces. "All of the above," she told CBS Sports 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, whose record stands at 13 wins and 2 losses, offered her assessment of her opponent’s style. "She puts a lot of pressure on people," Fiorot explained to 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." Fiorot’s recent split decision loss to Valentina Shevchenko underscored her elite striking and defensive grappling, demonstrating her readiness for top-tier competition.

Another promising Canadian star on the rise is Aiemann Zahabi, the younger brother of Firas Zahabi, Georges St-Pierre’s long-time coach. Zahabi has compiled an impressive six consecutive wins since a challenging start to his UFC career, bringing his record to 12 wins and 2 losses. His most recent victory, a controversial decision over former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo, garnered significant attention, with many pundits and fans questioning the judges’ scorecards. To continue his ascent in the competitive bantamweight division, Zahabi must overcome Marlon "Chito" Vera.

Vera, with a record of 23 wins and 9 losses, finds himself in a precarious position after suffering consecutive losses for the first time in his professional career. His recent bantamweight title bid against Sean O’Malley resulted in a unanimous decision loss, a fight preceded by a defeat to Cory Sandhagen. Vera has taken a one-year hiatus from competition, utilizing the time to heal physically and reflect on his mental approach to fighting, particularly addressing what he described as shedding his ego.

"We really didn’t like each other," Vera said of his failed bid for the UFC bantamweight title against Sean 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 candid self-assessment suggests a renewed focus and strategic approach for his return to the Octagon.

Full Fight Card and Betting Odds

The UFC Fight Night card features a variety of matchups across different weight classes, with betting odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook.

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 Prediction: Reinier de Ridder vs. Brendan Allen

Saturday’s headliners, Reinier de Ridder and Brendan Allen, share a number of stylistic commonalities. Both are recognized submission specialists who maintain an aggressive, forward-moving presence, often initiating exchanges with a high striking output. Neither fighter is typically categorized as an elite, precision striker nor a dominant collegiate-style wrestler, and both have demonstrated occasional defensive vulnerabilities in past contests. Their finishing rates, remarkably, exhibit a near-identical pattern: both possess five knockout victories and two knockout losses. Allen holds a slight edge in submission wins with 14, compared to De Ridder’s 13.

Allen is theoretically at a disadvantage fighting a five-round main event on short notice. However, he has prior main event experience, which suggests a familiarity with the longer championship rounds, and he has not historically struggled with cardio. The betting odds, which place De Ridder as a moderate favorite at -198 and Allen as a +164 underdog, reflect the anticipated closeness of this matchup.

De Ridder’s submission arsenal is arguably more varied, encompassing a wider range of chokes and joint locks, often stemming from his judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu background. He also boasts a more consistent recent track record in the UFC and has had a full training camp to prepare for this bout. While De Ridder’s chin may not be considered his strongest attribute, Allen is not typically known for one-punch knockout power, often relying on accumulation and ground-and-pound to secure finishes. Considering De Ridder’s more diverse ground game, extended preparation time, and consistent form, he is expected to navigate a closely contested affair, likely edging out his opponent on the scorecards.

Prediction: Reinier de Ridder via Unanimous Decision