Brendan Allen Stuns Reinier de Ridder as Corner Throws in Towel

UPDATE: UFC middleweight Brendan Allen pulled off a monumental upset on October 14, 2023, stopping Reinier de Ridder in the fourth round at UFC Fight Night in Vancouver. This thrilling victory comes just weeks after Allen accepted the fight on short notice, showcasing his resilience and skill in the octagon.

In a dramatic turn of events, Allen (26-7) dominated de Ridder (21-3), forcing his corner to throw in the towel between the fourth and fifth rounds. This victory snapped de Ridder’s impressive four-fight winning streak in the UFC, which he had maintained since last November. Allen’s performance was particularly remarkable given he was initially set to face Anthony Hernandez, who withdrew due to injury.

“It feels good to do exactly what I said I would do,” Allen declared 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.”

The fight did not start in Allen’s favor. He struggled in the first round, giving up a takedown and defending against multiple submissions. However, he quickly turned the tables, dominating grappling exchanges in the second, third, and fourth rounds. By the end of the fourth round, Allen had accumulated over 11 minutes of control time and landed an impressive 128 total strikes compared to de Ridder’s 51, according to UFC Stats.

As de Ridder labored to return to his corner, referee Jason Herzog closely monitored the situation. Ultimately, de Ridder’s team made the difficult decision to end the fight, highlighting the physical toll it had taken on the competitor.

Immediately following the bout, Allen set his sights on the future, calling out UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev, as well as former champions Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland. “Chimaev, if you want a good grappler, someone young and hungry, you got it baby,” Allen said, emphasizing his readiness for top-tier competition.

In the co-main event, Canadian welterweight Mike Mallott (13-2-1) also made headlines with a decision victory over Kevin Holland (28-15), further adding excitement to the night. Additionally, Aiemann Zahabi (14-2) climbed the bantamweight ranks with a split-decision win over former title challenger Marlon Vera (23-11-1).

This event marks a significant moment in Allen’s career, elevating him in the UFC middleweight rankings. With his emphatic performance against a highly ranked opponent, fans and analysts alike are eager to see what’s next for Allen in this ever-evolving division.

Stay tuned for more updates as the UFC landscape continues to shift following this electrifying event.