Brendan Allen Upsets Reinier de Ridder as Corner Stops Fight

UPDATE: UFC middleweight Brendan Allen achieved a stunning upset on October 14, 2023, stopping Reinier de Ridder in the fourth round at UFC Fight Night in Vancouver. Allen, who took the fight on short notice, dominated the match, leading de Ridder’s corner to throw in the towel before the fifth round.

This shocking result not only marked the biggest win of Allen’s career but also snapped de Ridder’s impressive four-fight winning streak in the UFC. Allen (26-7) made a bold statement, claiming he would “break” de Ridder (21-3), and he did just that, exhausting his opponent with relentless ground control.

The fight began with a challenging first round for Allen, who faced a takedown and defended multiple submissions. However, he quickly turned the tide, dominating the grappling exchanges in the following rounds. By the end of the fourth, Allen had amassed over 11 minutes of control time and landed 128 total strikes compared to de Ridder’s 51, according to UFC Stats.

Referee Jason Herzog closely monitored de Ridder between rounds, and after seeing the fighter struggle to stand, de Ridder’s corner made the critical decision to stop the fight.

“It feels good to do exactly what I said I would do,” Allen exclaimed after the bout. “This was me 3.5 weeks off the couch. I told you I’m a different monster. When my head is clear and we’re on, I’m the best in the world.”

Following his victory, Allen didn’t hold back on his aspirations, calling out UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev and former champions Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland. “Chimaev, if you want a good grappler, someone young and hungry, you got it baby,” he challenged. “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.”

In the co-main event, Canadian welterweight Mike Mallott secured a pivotal win over Kevin Holland by decision, while Aiemann Zahabi climbed the bantamweight ranks with a split decision victory over former title challenger Marlon Vera.

This thrilling night of fights not only showcased Allen’s resilience and determination but also highlighted his potential as a rising star in the UFC. Fans will undoubtedly be eager to see what’s next for Allen, especially with such high-profile challenges ahead.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story!