Brendan Allen Shocks de Ridder with Fourth-Round Stoppage

UPDATE: In a stunning turn of events, UFC middleweight Brendan Allen delivered the biggest upset of his career by stopping Reinier de Ridder in the fourth round at UFC Fight Night in Vancouver on October 14, 2023. This shocking victory came just three and a half weeks after Allen accepted the fight on short notice, proving his determination and skill.

Allen (26-7) declared he would break de Ridder (21-3) and did just that, forcing de Ridder’s corner to throw in the towel between the fourth and fifth rounds. This result ended de Ridder’s impressive four-fight winning streak in the UFC, which began last November. Initially slated to face Anthony Hernandez, Allen stepped in after Hernandez withdrew due to injury, showcasing his resilience and readiness.

“This was me 3.5 weeks off the couch. I told you I’m a different monster,” Allen stated after the fight. “When my head is clear and we’re on, I’m the best in the world.” His confidence shone through as he dominated the grappling exchanges after a challenging first round. Although he faced a takedown early on and spent significant time defending submissions, Allen turned the tide, accumulating over 11 minutes of control time and landing an impressive 128 total strikes compared to de Ridder’s 51.

As the fourth round neared its end, de Ridder struggled to stay on his feet, prompting referee Jason Herzog to closely monitor the situation. Ultimately, de Ridder’s team made the difficult decision to stop the fight, marking a significant moment in Allen’s career.

Following the bout, Allen wasted no time calling out UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev, along with former champions Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland. “Chimaev, if you want a good grappler, someone young and hungry, you got it baby,” he exclaimed. “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.”

Allen entered the fight ranked as the UFC’s No. 9 middleweight, while de Ridder was positioned at No. 4. In a night of thrilling matchups, Canadian welterweight Mike Mallott (13-2-1) also celebrated a significant victory, defeating Kevin Holland (28-15) via decision in the co-main event. Additionally, Aiemann Zahabi (14-2) continued his ascent in the bantamweight division with a split decision win over former title challenger Marlon Vera (23-11-1).

This exhilarating event has sent shockwaves through the UFC community, as fans and analysts alike anticipate the next steps for both Allen and de Ridder. With Allen’s bold declarations and newfound momentum, the middleweight division is set for thrilling developments in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding story.