Ali Akbar Rosady
VANCOUVER – The Rogers Arena in Vancouver is set to host a pivotal UFC Fight Night event this Saturday, October 18, headlined by a compelling middleweight clash between Reinier de Ridder and Brendan Allen. For De Ridder, this bout represents a crucial audition, a gateway to a potential title shot against reigning middleweight contender Khamzat Chimaev. An emphatic performance is not merely desired but paramount if the Dutch standout is to solidify his claim for championship contention.
Reinier de Ridder, boasting an impressive professional record of 21 wins and only 2 losses, has been on a meteoric ascent within the UFC’s middleweight division, compiling an unblemished 5-0 record over the last 11 months. This rapid accumulation of victories has placed "The Dutch Knight" firmly in the conversation for a shot at UFC gold, specifically against the formidable Khamzat Chimaev, widely considered the next in line for the division’s champion.
De Ridder was originally slated to face Anthony "Fluffy" Hernandez, a fight that was part of what many insiders dubbed a "spiritual sweepstakes" to determine Chimaev’s next challenger. The other prominent figure in this equation is Nassourdine Imavov, currently ranked No. 2 in the middleweight division, who recently secured a significant victory over Caio Borralho last month. With Hernandez out, Brendan Allen stepped in on short notice, a move De Ridder acknowledges with gratitude. However, the stakes remain incredibly high, and De Ridder understands that a decisive finish against an opponent perceived by some as "less lauded" than Hernandez is critical to distinguish his resume.
"It still means something beating him," De Ridder told CBS Sports, reflecting on his opponent 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 statement underscores his strategic approach: he aims not just to win, but to make a definitive statement that surpasses the performances of his divisional rivals against a common opponent.
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The path to a UFC title shot is rarely linear, and the middleweight landscape is particularly competitive. Despite De Ridder’s impressive run, Imavov (2) currently holds a higher official ranking and boasts higher-ranked wins on his record. Yet, De Ridder possesses compelling arguments for his own case should he secure another victory: a sterling 5-0 UFC middleweight run in less than a year, demonstrating consistent activity and dominance, and a strength of schedule that positions him as a reliable and ready challenger when opportunities arise.
De Ridder also expressed a desire for a direct confrontation with Imavov to settle the contention debate. "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 practicalities but also subtly challenging Imavov’s willingness for a direct clash. "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, known as "All In," with a professional record of 25 wins and 7 losses. Allen’s career has been characterized by a stubborn resilience and unwavering self-belief, traits that have served him well through numerous competitive bouts. He enters this fight on a formidable six-fight winning streak, showcasing a significant resurgence in his career since his last defeat in December 2021. Allen, however, has often held a unique perspective on his past performances, claiming he has a case for having won his prior encounters with both Nassourdine Imavov and Anthony Hernandez, despite official judges and polled media members largely scoring those bouts against him. His TKO loss to Imavov in 2020 and a unanimous decision win over Hernandez in 2019 are official records, yet Allen’s conviction in his own capabilities remains unshaken.
"His strength is definitely weighing on guys and being durable. His jiu-jitsu isn’t bad at all," Allen told CBS Sports, offering his assessment of De Ridder. Turning the focus to his own abilities, Allen confidently stated, "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 willingness to step up on short notice for a main event against a highly-touted contender further exemplifies his ‘All In’ moniker and his belief in his readiness for any challenge. While fighting on short notice could be a disadvantage, Allen has prior main event experience and a proven gas tank, suggesting cardio will not be an issue.
Beyond the high-stakes main event, the Vancouver fight card is packed with compelling matchups featuring rising stars and seasoned veterans. Canada’s own Jasmine Jasudavicius carries the hopes of a nation, aiming to become the next UFC champion from her country. Canada has not seen UFC gold since Georges St-Pierre’s middleweight title win in 2017, and Jasudavicius is determined to end that drought. A victory over Manon Fiorot, a top contender who recently fought women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko, would undoubtedly place Jasudavicius at the very top of the title contention queue.
"All of the above," Jasudavicius told CBS Sports when asked if the pressure is 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." Her opponent, Manon Fiorot, a formidable striker with a strong grappling defense, offered her tactical assessment: "She puts a lot of pressure on people. 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 thrilling encounter.
Another Canadian prospect looking to make a significant leap is Aiemann Zahabi, the younger brother of legendary coach Firas Zahabi, known for his long-standing mentorship of Georges St-Pierre. Zahabi has been on an impressive run, accumulating six straight wins after a challenging start to his UFC career. His recent, albeit controversial, decision victory over former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo has significantly elevated his profile. To continue his ascent, Zahabi must overcome Marlon "Chito" Vera, a former bantamweight title challenger. Vera finds himself in a precarious position, facing his first-ever consecutive losses following his unsuccessful bid for the UFC bantamweight title against Sean O’Malley and a prior defeat. However, Vera has used a one-year hiatus to heal both body and mind, aiming to shed his ego and return with renewed focus.
Vera offered a candid reflection on his past performance, particularly against O’Malley: "We really didn’t like each other. 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." His introspection suggests a more measured and strategic approach for his return.
The card also features a compelling welterweight bout between Mike Malott and Kevin Holland, a matchup that promises fireworks given both fighters’ aggressive styles and finishing instincts. Further down the card, Cody Gibson faces Aoriqileng in a bantamweight clash, and Matt Frevola takes on Kyle Nelson in a lightweight encounter, adding depth and excitement to the event.
Below is the full fight card, along with the latest betting odds, providing context for the anticipated matchups before offering a prediction for the main event.
UFC Fight Night: De Ridder vs. Allen – Fight Card and Odds
Odds via 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
This Saturday’s headlining bout between Reinier de Ridder and Brendan Allen presents a fascinating stylistic clash, with both fighters bearing striking similarities in their approach. Both are renowned submission specialists who maintain a high striking output, often staying in their opponents’ faces with relentless pressure. Neither is widely considered an elite-level striker nor a dominant wrestler, and both have exhibited occasional defensive lapses in their careers. Their finishing rates are remarkably similar: both men hold five knockout victories and two knockout losses, while Allen edges out De Ridder with 14 submission wins compared to De Ridder’s 13.
Allen steps into this five-round main event on short notice, which could theoretically place him at a disadvantage. However, "All In" possesses prior main event experience and has consistently demonstrated excellent cardio, suggesting that the late call-up may not be as significant a factor as it might be for others. The close betting odds reflect the highly competitive nature of this matchup, indicating that oddsmakers anticipate a tight contest.
De Ridder, however, appears to hold several key advantages. His submission repertoire is arguably wider and more varied, allowing him more options on the ground. He also benefits from greater consistency in his overall performances and has had a full training camp to prepare for this specific challenge. While De Ridder’s chin may not be the sturdiest, Allen is not known for possessing one-punch knockout power that could exploit this vulnerability. Ultimately, De Ridder’s technical precision, broader submission arsenal, and more thorough preparation time are expected to give him the edge in what promises to be a grueling and competitive affair.
De Ridder via Unanimous Decision
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