Reinier de Ridder is set to showcase his skills at UFC Fight Night in Vancouver, British Columbia. The event will take place on Saturday, October 21, 2025, at 7 p.m. ET, with preliminaries starting at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN+
Reinier de Ridder: A Rising Star in the UFC
Currently boasting a record of 21 wins and 2 losses, de Ridder is riding a remarkable winning streak within the UFC. He has notched victory in all four of his fights since joining the organization. Ranked sixth in the middleweight division by ESPN, he faces a significant challenge this weekend.
Matchup Against Brendan Allen
De Ridder’s opponent is Brendan Allen, who has a record of 25 wins and 7 losses. Allen steps into the octagon on short notice, replacing Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez due to an injury. Despite the circumstances, Allen is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Marvin Vettori in July.
Expert Predictions for the Main Event
ESPN’s MMA analysts have weighed in on the matchup:
- Din Thomas (MMA Coach): Predicts a win for de Ridder by decision, noting his grappling prowess.
- Anthony Smith (ESPN MMA Analyst): Sees Allen taking the decision, citing his strengths in wrestling and striking.
Thomas emphasizes de Ridder’s ability to reverse positions against Allen, while Smith highlights that Allen’s grappling may control the fight. Both experts agree the fight is highly competitive.
Betting Insights
Betting expert Ian Parker offers insights on the fight card:
- Odds for de Ridder: Currently set at -210.
- Fight Length: Parker suggests a five-round fight favors de Ridder due to his experience in longer bouts.
Parker suggests that if Allen manages to win, he could enter the middleweight title conversation for 2026. However, he anticipates de Ridder pulling ahead as the fight progresses.
Additional Fights to Watch
Several intriguing matchups will take place on the same card:
- Welterweight: Kevin Holland vs. Mike Malott
- Both fighters are well-rounded.
- Parker advocates for over 1.5 rounds, predicting a tactical effort from Holland.
- Bantamweight: Aiemann Zahabi vs. Marlon Vera
- Zahabi is favored to win, coming off a recent victory over José Aldo.
- Expect a decision victory with a focus on Zahabi’s output and wrestling.
- Women’s Flyweight: Manon Fiorot vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius
- Fiorot enters as a 2-to-1 favorite.
- Predicted to win by decision unless Jasudavicius can secure a takedown.
The UFC Fight Night promises exciting matchups, especially with Reinier de Ridder defending his brilliant winning streak. Fans eagerly await to see if he will continue his path to greatness in the UFC.
