UPDATE: In a stunning upset at UFC Fight Night in Vancouver, Brendan Allen defeated Reinier de Ridder, forcing his corner to throw in the towel after the fourth round. This decisive victory, which took place on October 14, 2023, marks a career-high for Allen, who stepped in on short notice to replace Anthony Hernandez.
Allen (26-7) showcased his skills against the No. 4-ranked middleweight, dominating the fight with relentless grappling and striking. After a tough first round, where he initially struggled, Allen turned the tide, accumulating over 11 minutes of control time and landing 128 total strikes compared to de Ridder’s 51.
The fight turned critical in the fourth round, with de Ridder (21-3) visibly exhausted and unable to effectively defend himself. Referee Jason Herzog carefully monitored the action, and after consulting with de Ridder’s team, they made the urgent decision to stop the fight, marking the end of de Ridder’s four-fight winning streak.
“This was me 3.5 weeks off the couch,” Allen declared, reflecting on his rapid turnaround. “I told you I’m a different monster. When my head is clear and we’re on, I’m the best in the world.”
This victory not only elevates Allen’s profile in the middleweight division but also sets the stage for potential matchups with UFC stars. Immediately following the fight, Allen called out current middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev, as well as former champions Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland. “Chimaev, if you want a good grappler, someone young and hungry, you got it baby,” he said, making clear his ambitions.
In the co-main event, Canadian welterweight Mike Mallott earned a significant win against Kevin Holland by decision, adding to the excitement of the night. Additionally, Aiemann Zahabi continued his ascent in the bantamweight ranks with a split decision win over former title challenger Marlon Vera.
As the dust settles on this thrilling event, eyes will be on Allen as he positions himself among the elite in the UFC. Fans are eager to see who he will face next, and whether he can maintain this momentum in the highly competitive middleweight division.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the UFC landscape continues to shift!
