What's Happening?
Brendan Allen achieved a significant victory in his UFC career by defeating Reinier de Ridder in the fourth round at UFC Fight Night in Vancouver. Allen, who accepted the fight on short notice, managed
to exhaust de Ridder on the ground, leading to de Ridder's corner throwing in the towel between the fourth and fifth rounds. This victory ended de Ridder's four-fight winning streak in the UFC. Initially, de Ridder was set to face Anthony Hernandez, but Allen stepped in after Hernandez withdrew due to injury. Allen, who hails from Louisiana, overcame a challenging first round but dominated the grappling exchanges in the subsequent rounds, accumulating over 11 minutes of control time and landing 128 strikes compared to de Ridder's 51.
Why It's Important?
This victory is pivotal for Brendan Allen as it not only halts Reinier de Ridder's momentum but also elevates Allen's standing in the UFC middleweight division. Allen's performance demonstrates his capability to compete at a high level, even on short notice, which could lead to more significant opportunities and matchups in the future. The win also positions Allen as a potential contender for higher-ranked opponents, including UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev and former champions Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland. For de Ridder, this loss is a setback that may require strategic adjustments to regain his position in the rankings.
What's Next?
Following his victory, Brendan Allen expressed interest in facing top contenders in the middleweight division, calling out Khamzat Chimaev, Dricus Du Plessis, and Sean Strickland. These potential matchups could further solidify Allen's status as a top contender and provide him with opportunities to climb the rankings. For Reinier de Ridder, the focus will likely be on recovery and reassessment to bounce back from this defeat and reestablish his winning trajectory.
