Ali Akbar RosadyVancouver, British Columbia – The Rogers Arena is set to host a pivotal UFC Fight Night, headlined by a compelling middleweight clash between Reinier de Ridder and Brendan Allen. This main event carries significant implications for the division’s hierarchy, particularly for de Ridder, who views the contest as a crucial audition for a coveted shot at the UFC middleweight championship, currently held by the formidable Khamzat Chimaev. An impressive performance, ideally culminating in a decisive finish, is paramount for de Ridder to bolster his case for a high-profile title eliminator or direct challenge against Chimaev.
De Ridder, an athlete with a professional mixed martial arts record of 21 wins and 2 losses, was originally scheduled to face Anthony "Fluffy" Hernandez, who holds a record of 12 wins, 2 losses, and 1 no-contest. This initial pairing was widely perceived as part of an unofficial "spiritual sweepstakes" designed to identify Chimaev’s next challenger. The other prominent contender in this informal race is Nassourdine Imavov, currently ranked No. 2 in the UFC’s official middleweight rankings with a record of 14-2. Imavov recently solidified his position with a significant victory over Caio Borralho (16-2, 1 NC) last month, further staking his claim for a title opportunity.
De Ridder expressed gratitude towards Brendan Allen for stepping in on short notice, acknowledging the inherent challenge of adapting to a new opponent. However, he underscored the critical importance of securing a decisive finish against an opponent he perceives as less heralded than Hernandez. "It still means something beating him," de Ridder conveyed 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 statement highlights de Ridder’s strategic intent to distinguish his performance from those of his divisional rivals.
Despite the fluid and often unpredictable nature of title contention in the UFC, Imavov is anticipated to maintain a higher position in the official middleweight rankings even if de Ridder triumphs over Allen. Imavov also possesses a resume featuring victories over higher-ranked opponents. Nevertheless, de Ridder believes another victory would significantly strengthen his standing, citing what he describes as a "5-0 UFC run in 11 months" and his consistent availability as a reliable challenger. The Dutch grappling specialist, known for his relentless pressure and submission acumen, has previously voiced confidence in his ability to challenge Chimaev, explicitly stating his belief that he could "take down, choke out" the reigning champion.
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De Ridder also commented on Imavov’s absence from the Vancouver card, suggesting a missed opportunity for a more definitive resolution to the title contention picture. "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."
Across the Octagon stands Brendan Allen, a resilient and often understated contender with a professional record of 25 wins and 7 losses. Allen is renowned for his tenacity and a stubborn self-belief, qualities that have served him well throughout his career, though they have occasionally led to controversial post-fight assessments. Allen maintains that he deserved victories in his close encounters with both Imavov and Hernandez, despite official judges and the majority of polled media members scoring those contests against him. For instance, his bout against Imavov at UFC 264 resulted in a unanimous decision loss, while his fight with Hernandez at UFC on ESPN 48 concluded in a split decision defeat.
The consensus among analysts suggests Saturday’s main event will be a highly competitive affair. However, Allen exhibited a notable lack of concern regarding de Ridder’s capabilities during his pre-fight media availability. "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. "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." This assertion underscores Allen’s profound self-belief and his readiness to engage de Ridder across all facets of mixed martial arts, from striking to grappling.
Co-Main and Featured Bouts: Canadian Hopes and Veteran Redemption
Beyond the pivotal middleweight main event, the card features several compelling matchups, including a significant women’s flyweight clash between Canada’s Jasmine Jasudavicius and France’s Manon Fiorot. Jasudavicius, holding a record of 9 wins and 3 losses, carries the weight of national expectation, positioning herself as a potential future UFC champion from Canada. The nation has not celebrated UFC gold since Georges St-Pierre’s middleweight title win in 2017. A victory over Fiorot, who boasts a record of 12 wins and 1 loss and recently challenged women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko in a closely contested decision, would undoubtedly propel Jasudavicius closer to the top of the division’s contender queue.
Jasudavicius acknowledged the dual nature of this pressure. "All of the above," she responded to 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, a highly technical striker known for her precision and movement, offered her tactical breakdown of Jasudavicius. "She puts a lot of pressure on people," Fiorot stated. "She goes forward every time. She loves to take people down and take the back. I punch and move, and fight with space." This analysis sets the stage for a classic striker-grappler dynamic.
Another Canadian hopeful, Aiemann Zahabi, with a record of 11 wins and 2 losses, will feature in a high-stakes bantamweight contest against Marlon "Chito" Vera. Zahabi, the younger brother of legendary coach Firas Zahabi, Georges St-Pierre’s long-time mentor, has meticulously rebuilt his career, accumulating six consecutive victories following a challenging start in the UFC. His recent triumphs include a controversial split decision win over former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo at UFC 278, a result that sparked considerable debate among fans and analysts.
Vera, a seasoned veteran and former title challenger with a record of 21 wins, 9 losses, and 1 draw, finds himself at a critical juncture of his career, facing the rare scenario of consecutive losses for the first time. His most recent outings include a unanimous decision loss to Sean O’Malley in a highly anticipated UFC bantamweight title bout, preceded by a decision loss to Cory Sandhagen. Vera attributed his performance in the championship fight against O’Malley to emotional overinvestment rather than strategic execution.
"We really didn’t like each other," Vera reflected on his rivalry 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 has since taken a one-year hiatus, reportedly to heal physically and mentally, shedding ego and refocusing his approach, hoping to re-establish his elite contender status.
The main card also features a compelling welterweight clash between Canada’s Mike Malott (10-1-1) and Kevin Holland (26-11, 1 NC). Malott, a surging Canadian talent with a strong finishing record, will look to continue his impressive run against the unpredictable and dangerous Holland, known for his striking prowess and engaging personality. In another bantamweight affair, veteran Cody Gibson (19-9) is set to face the powerful Aoriqileng (25-13). Rounding out the main card, Matt Frevola (11-4-1) takes on Kyle Nelson (15-6-1) in a lightweight battle, promising an action-packed encounter between two high-octane fighters.
Betting Odds and Viewing Information
Below are the latest betting odds for the main card bouts, provided by DraftKings Sportsbook:
| Favorite | Underdog | Weight class |
|---|---|---|
| Reinier de Ridder -198 (21-2) | Brendan Allen +164 (25-7) | Middleweight |
| Mike Malott -112 (10 |
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