URGENT UPDATE: In a stunning turn of events at UFC Fight Night in Vancouver on October 14, 2023, middleweight Brendan Allen achieved the biggest victory of his career by stopping Reinier de Ridder in the fourth round. De Ridder’s corner made the critical decision to throw in the towel, marking a significant upset in the octagon.
Allen (26-7) accepted the fight on short notice, stepping in for Anthony Hernandez after Hernandez withdrew due to injury. Despite the rapid timeline, Allen promised to break de Ridder (21-3) and delivered on that assurance, dominating the ground game and exhausting his opponent.
As the fight progressed, Allen gained control, amassing over 11 minutes of grappling dominance and landing a staggering 128 total strikes compared to de Ridder’s 51, according to UFC Stats. By the end of the fourth round, de Ridder struggled to return to his corner, prompting referee Jason Herzog to closely monitor the situation before the corner made the call to stop the bout.
“It feels good to do exactly what I said I would do,” Allen stated post-fight. “This was me 3.5 weeks off the couch. I told you I’m a different monster, when my head is clear and we’re on, I’m the best in the world.”
With this victory, Allen not only ended de Ridder’s four-fight winning streak but also positioned himself for potential title contention. Immediately after the fight, he called out UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev, alongside former champions Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland, emphasizing his readiness for high-stakes matchups.
“Chimaev, if you want a good grappler, someone young and hungry, you got it baby,” Allen declared. “Dricus, where you at? I’ve been trying to get at you for a minute. If not, Sean, it’s time to run it back.”
As the UFC’s No. 9-ranked middleweight, Allen’s victory sends shockwaves through the division, signaling his rise among the elite fighters. The co-main event also showcased Canadian welterweight Mike Mallott (13-2-1) who secured a decision win over Kevin Holland (28-15), while Aiemann Zahabi (14-2) climbed the bantamweight rankings with a split decision victory against former title challenger Marlon Vera (23-11-1).
This development is crucial for fans and fighters alike as the middleweight division continues to evolve. All eyes will now be on Allen as he sets his sights on the champions of the division.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops and the implications of Allen’s stunning upset unfold in the coming days.
