Reinier de Ridder, currently on an impressive streak in the UFC, returns to action for the fourth time this year at UFC Fight Night in Vancouver, British Columbia. His opponent will be Brendan Allen, who enters the fight with little preparation time, replacing Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez, who withdrew due to an injury.
De Ridder, ranked among the best in his category, will seek to maintain his undefeated record in the UFC. Allen also comes with a victory, after a unanimous decision win over Marvin Vettori in July.
For Allen to win, he must take his opponent to the ground. Generally, he is better at grappling in every fight he wins. Here, I think De Ridder is probably the better grappler. He should be able to reverse any position Allen puts him in and finish on top. I’m betting on De Ridder by decision, but I wouldn’t be surprised if De Ridder managed the submission.
Din Thomas
Allen is a better striker than De Ridder, and I think he’s a better grappler. I don’t think De Ridder can take him down, so the grappling should be controlled more by Allen. If I’m wrong, I think it will be because Allen sometimes fades under a high pace. When he’s pressured hard, we’ve seen him fall behind in the later rounds, but I think he has the tools to win this matchup.
Anthony Smith
Betting Analysis
The odds are accurate as of October 16. For the most up-to-date odds, visit ESPN BET.Parker: De Ridder to win (-210). If Allen pulls off the upset, he could enter the middleweight title contention in 2026. However, I believe a five-round fight favors De Ridder over Allen. De Ridder went five rounds with Robert Whittaker in July and was able to dictate the pace in the final round to get the win. Unless Allen catches De Ridder in the first round, his gas tank will likely run out as the fight progresses, giving De Ridder the opportunity to get the win.
Parker’s Best Bets on the Rest of the Card
Welterweight: Kevin Holland vs. Mike Malott
More than 1.5 rounds: This should be a very close fight between two complete fighters. After a knockout loss to Daniel Rodriguez in July, I expect Holland, the fan favorite, to be more defensive and less reckless offensively to avoid being hit by Malott, who is on a two-fight winning streak. Malott has also been using his wrestling and ground game more recently, which will be useful here. I think Malott will be successful with takedowns and will keep Holland on his back for most of the fight. If there is a finish, I see it coming late in the fight, so take more than 1.5 rounds.Men’s Bantamweight: Aiemann Zahabi vs Marlon Vera
Zahabi to win (-135): After his victory over José Aldo in Montreal in May, Zahabi will look to add another experienced veteran and former title challenger to his resume. Both Zahabi and Vera are extremely durable, but the difference in their fight will be Zahabi’s production and Vera’s tendency to start slow. Zahabi also has the ability to take Vera down and keep him there, if he is not successful on his feet. On top of all that, Vera has taken a lot of damage in his 15-year professional career. This fight is most likely to go the distance and Zahabi will win by decision.Women’s Flyweight: Manon Fiorot vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius
Manon to win by decision: In her first fight since losing her title fight against Valentina Shevchenko in May, Fiorot will face the rising Jasdavicius in Fiorot’s home country, Canada. This should be an interesting fight between two talented fighters. Fiorot is the 2-to-1 favorite, and I think that makes sense. Standing up, she is the better striker, and unless Jasdavicius can take Fiorot to the ground, I expect Fiorot to win a three-round kickboxing match by decision.
