Brendan Allen Achieves the Most Important Victory of His Career at UFC Fight Night
Brendan Allen, a prominent middleweight fighter in the UFC, secured the most significant victory of his career this Saturday, stopping Reinier de Ridder in the fourth round during the UFC Fight Night event held in Vancouver. Despite accepting the fight with little preparation time, Allen (26-7) promised to defeat de Ridder (21-3), and he did. He consumed de Ridder’s energy on the mat, forcing his corner to throw in the towel between the fourth and fifth rounds. This result ended de Ridder’s four-fight winning streak in the UFC, which began last November. Originally, de Ridder was scheduled to face Anthony Hernandez, but Allen stepped in after Hernandez withdrew due to injury.Allen, originally from Louisiana, had a complicated start in the first round, but quickly changed the course. Although he conceded a takedown in the first round and spent much of the time defending submissions, he dominated the exchanges in the second, third, and fourth rounds. Allen accumulated more than 11 minutes of control time and connected 128 total strikes, compared to de Ridder’s 51, according to UFC statistics. De Ridder could barely stand at the end of the fourth round and struggled to return to his corner. Referee Jason Herzog closely examined de Ridder between rounds before his team made the decision to throw in the towel. Immediately after the fight, Allen challenged UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev, as well as former champions Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland, against whom he lost in 2020.It feels good to do exactly what I said I would do. This was for me after 3.5 weeks off the couch. I told you I’m a different monster, when I have a clear mind and we’re at it, I’m the best in the world.
Brendan Allen
Allen arrived at the main event on Saturday as the UFC’s number 9 middleweight. De Ridder was ranked number 4. In the co-main event, Canadian welterweight Mike Malott (13-2-1) secured a notable victory over Kevin Holland (28-15) by decision. Aiemann Zahabi (14-2) continued climbing the rankings in the bantamweight division with a decision victory over former champion Marlon Vera (23-11-1) by split decision.Chimaev, if you want a good fighter, someone young and hungry, you’ve got him, kid. Dricus, where are you? I’ve been trying to face you for a minute. If not, Sean, it’s time to do it again.
Brendan Allen
