Last-minute change in the UFC Fight Night card
An expected middleweight clash between Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez and Reinier de Ridder will not take place on October 18, due to an undisclosed injury to Hernandez.
UFC officials announced Hernandez’s withdrawal on Monday. De Ridder (12-2) will remain on the card and will now face fellow middleweight contender Brendan Allen (25-7). The 185-pound bout will headline UFC Fight Night in Vancouver.
Hernandez apologized to UFC and De Ridder in a social media post on Monday night, adding that he was focused on “recovering so he can come back stronger than ever.”
Post by Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez
UFC is looking for its next middleweight title challenger, and the original match between Hernandez and De Ridder could have significantly influenced the landscape. Khamzat Chimaev won the championship by defeating Dricus Du Plessis by unanimous decision in August.
Currently, the short list of contenders for Chimaev includes Nassourdine Imavov, Hernandez, and De Ridder, with a remote possibility for former champion Sean Strickland.
De Ridder will make his fifth UFC appearance in less than 12 months. He is coming off a split decision victory against former champion Robert Whittaker in July. Allen, a four-year UFC veteran, is coming off an exciting decision victory over Marvin Vettori in July at UFC 318.
