Brendan Allen Upsets de Ridder as Corner Throws in Towel

UPDATE: Major upset in the octagon! UFC middleweight Brendan Allen delivered a stunning performance, forcing Reinier de Ridder to quit in the corner at UFC Fight Night in Vancouver on October 14, 2023. Allen, who took the fight on short notice, proved his mettle by dominating de Ridder, leading to a towel throw from his opponent’s corner between the fourth and fifth rounds.

This victory marks a significant milestone for Allen, elevating his record to 26-7 and snapping de Ridder’s impressive four-fight UFC winning streak. De Ridder, now 21-3, was initially set to face Anthony Hernandez, but Allen stepped in after Hernandez withdrew due to injury.

The fight took a tumultuous turn as Allen, despite a rocky start, showcased his grappling skills, accumulating over 11 minutes of control time and landing an impressive 128 total strikes compared to de Ridder’s 51. By the end of the fourth round, de Ridder struggled to return to his corner, prompting referee Jason Herzog to closely monitor the situation before the decision was made to end the bout.

“It feels good to do exactly what I said I would do,” Allen stated after the fight. “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 the bout, Allen called out UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev, as well as former champions Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland, with whom he is eager to compete again. “Chimaev, if you want a good grappler, someone young and hungry, you got it baby,” he proclaimed, emphasizing his readiness for high-stakes matchups.

In other bouts during the event, Canadian welterweight Mike Mallott achieved a notable victory over Kevin Holland by decision, while Aiemann Zahabi advanced in the bantamweight division with a split decision win against former title challenger Marlon Vera.

As the MMA world buzzes with excitement over Allen’s impressive upset and bold statements, fans are urged to stay tuned for potential match announcements. This fight has certainly reshaped the middleweight landscape, setting the stage for exhilarating future matchups.