In a stunning display of skill and determination, UFC middleweight Brendan Allen secured the biggest victory of his career on Saturday by defeating Reinier de Ridder in the fourth round at UFC Fight Night in Vancouver. This impressive win came after Allen accepted the fight on short notice, showcasing his readiness and competitive spirit.
Allen, with a record now standing at 26-7, made bold claims leading up to the fight, vowing to break de Ridder, who entered the match with a solid record of 21-3. True to his word, Allen exhausted de Ridder on the ground, forcing his opponent's corner to throw in the towel between the fourth and fifth rounds, ultimately ending de Ridder's four-fight winning streak in the UFC that began last November.
Originally slated to face Anthony Hernandez, Allen stepped up to take on de Ridder after Hernandez withdrew due to injury. Reflecting on his performance, Allen stated, "It feels good to do exactly what I said I would do. 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." This confidence proved well-founded as he demonstrated exceptional grappling skills throughout the fight.
Though Allen faced challenges early in the first round, where he gave up a takedown and spent significant time defending against submissions, he quickly turned the tide in his favor. Dominating the grappling exchanges in the second, third, and fourth rounds, Allen amassed over 11 minutes of control time and landed an impressive 128 total strikes compared to de Ridder's 51, as reported by UFC Stats. By the end of the fourth round, de Ridder was visibly exhausted and struggled to return to his corner.
Referee Jason Herzog closely monitored de Ridder's condition between rounds, ultimately leading to the decision by his corner to stop the fight. This decisive victory not only highlights Allen's resilience but also positions him as a formidable contender in the middleweight division.
Immediately following his victory, Allen made headlines by calling out the current UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev, along with former champions Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland, the latter of whom Allen lost to in 2020. "Chimaev, if you want a good grappler, someone young and hungry, you got it baby," he asserted. "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."
Entering the fight as the UFC's No. 9-ranked middleweight, Allen's victory over No. 4-ranked de Ridder significantly boosts his standing in the division. In the night's co-main event, Canadian welterweight Mike Malott also achieved a notable win over Kevin Holland by decision, further adding excitement to the UFC Fight Night event.
Brendan Allen's performance serves as a testament to his grit and determination, and fans eagerly anticipate what lies ahead for this rising star in the UFC middleweight division.
