Reinier de Ridder Submits Brendan Allen in Middleweight Clash at UFC Fight Night Vancouver

On October 18, 2025, Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, hosted UFC Fight Night: de Ridder vs. Allen, where Dutch grappling phenom Reinier de Ridder extended his undefeated UFC streak to 5-0 with a third-round rear-naked choke submission over Brendan Allen at 3:45. De Ridder, leveraging his ONE Championship pedigree, controlled 8:20 of the fight with suffocating top pressure and landed 45 of 78 significant strikes (58% accuracy) before locking in the choke, marking his 14th career submission. Allen, a top-10 middleweight contender, threatened with his own jiu-jitsu but couldn’t escape de Ridder’s transitions, dropping to 25-8. The 12,000-strong crowd, a mix of Canadian hockey fans and MMA diehards, erupted as de Ridder’s composure shone, chanting “R-D-R!” in the chill Pacific Northwest air. Airing live on ESPN+ at 7:00 p.m. ET for the main card, this headliner, part of a stacked event featuring Mike Malott vs. Kevin Holland, delivered on its promise of a grappling chess match, with X posts like @UFC_CA tweeting, “de Ridder’s a monster—submission clinic in Vancouver!” This contender bout propelled de Ridder toward a title shot against Dricus Du Plessis, while Allen’s resilience kept him in the mix amid the division’s chaos.

Fight Overview

The de Ridder vs. Allen main event topped UFC Fight Night: de Ridder vs. Allen’s main card, a 12-fight event kicking off with prelims at 4:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and the main card at 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and Disney+. Slated for around 9:30 p.m. ET, the five-round bout carried massive implications for the middleweight title picture, with the winner eyeing a shot at champ Dricus Du Plessis. De Ridder, the -210 favorite (BetMGM), entered with a 4-0 UFC run, while Allen, at +175, aimed to rebound from a 2024 loss to Anthony Hernandez. X hype was intense, with @BestFightPicks tweeting a full card prediction video and @UFC_CA sharing a “Tale of the Tape” graphic, noting de Ridder’s 6’4” frame vs. Allen’s 6’2”. Rogers Arena’s 12,000 fans, fueled by Vancouver’s fight-week festivities like fan expos at BC Place and post-game Canucks watch parties, created an electric vibe. Fan predictions split 55% for de Ridder’s grappling (per @SkyBet polls), 30% for Allen’s volume, and 15% draw, amplified by the event’s Canadian flavor and October rain adding grit.

Reinier de Ridder: The 35-year-old from Amsterdam, Netherlands, entered with a 21-2-0 record (4-0 UFC), including 13 submissions. Standing at 6’4” with a 78-inch reach, the orthodox fighter is a grappling virtuoso, averaging 4.2 takedowns per fight with 62% striking accuracy (UFC Stats). His 2025 split decision over Robert Whittaker showcased elite transitions, landing 3.2 significant strikes per minute. Trained at AIGS in the Netherlands, X clips show him drilling chokes with ONE alum Christian Lee. @MMAJunkie notes, “de Ridder’s a title threat—his control is suffocating.”

Brendan Allen: The 29-year-old from Houston, Texas, carried a 25-7-0 record (13-4 UFC), with 14 submissions. At 6’2” with a 75-inch reach, the orthodox grappler’s 3.85 significant strikes per minute at 53% accuracy (UFC Stats) and BJJ black belt pose threats. His 2025 unanimous decision over Marvin Vettori highlighted cardio. Training at Kill Cliff FC, X footage shows Allen sharpening sprawls. @FightingStatsCo tweeted, “Allen’s volume could grind de Ridder down.”

The Fight: Round-by-Round Breakdown

Round 1: The Vancouver crowd roars as de Ridder opens with a jab, probing Allen’s stance. Allen counters with a low kick, but de Ridder shoots for a double-leg at 1:20, securing top control for 2:10 and landing elbows. Allen scrambles, attempting a guillotine, but de Ridder escapes, landing 18 of 28 significant strikes to Allen’s 9 of 22 (UFC Stats). @BestFightPicks scores it 10-9 de Ridder, tweeting, “RdR’s takedown sets the tone early.”

Round 2: Allen starts aggressively, landing a body kick and straight right at 0:45. De Ridder absorbs, closing distance with a clinch takedown at 1:50, transitioning to mount for 90 seconds. Allen’s guard work prevents damage, but de Ridder’s 20 of 32 strikes dwarf Allen’s 11 of 25. @CagePulseUFC calls it 10-9 de Ridder, noting, “Allen’s heart is there, but de Ridder’s top game dominates.”

Round 3: Trailing, Allen needs a finish. He lands a left hook early, but de Ridder’s single-leg at 1:00 grounds the fight. De Ridder passes to back control, locking in a rear-naked choke at 3:45 as Allen taps. De Ridder lands 7 of 18 strikes in the round. @UFC_CA confirms the submission, tweeting, “de Ridder’s a beast—Vancouver goes wild!”

Key Moments and Impact

• de Ridder’s Grappling Control: His 3 takedowns and 8:20 control time neutralized Allen’s volume, landing 45 of 78 significant strikes (58%) to Allen’s 30 of 69 (43%). @PabloArroyoUFC tweeted, “de Ridder’s transitions are elite—submission masterclass.”
• Allen’s Early Surge: His second-round hook showed threat, with @Ticombo noting, “Allen’s power kept it close.”
• Third-Round Choke: The RNC at 3:45 sealed it, per @CouchWarriorPod: “de Ridder’s composure wins wars.”
• Fan Reaction: Rogers Arena’s 12,000 fans chanted for the tap, with X splitting 60% for de Ridder (@UFC_Europe: “RdR’s title-bound”) and 40% for Allen’s grit (@snoopzprodigy: “Brendan fought hard”).

Post-Fight Analysis and Implications

In his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, de Ridder called for Dricus Du Plessis, stating, “I’m ready for the belt—let’s go five rounds.” His fifth UFC win, including a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus, catapults him to No. 3 contender status. His 4.2 takedown average and 58% striking accuracy highlight his versatility, though Allen’s volume tested his cardio. @AthlonSports: “de Ridder’s a legitimate title threat now.”

Allen, gracious in defeat, told MMA Junkie, “Reinier’s grappling is next-level—I’ll be back.” His 25-8 record keeps him top-10, with X suggesting a rebound vs. Nassourdine Imavov. @Tonyspicks: “Allen’s durable—still a contender.” Middleweight heats up, with de Ridder eyeing Du Plessis at UFC 325.

Event Context and Vancouver Atmosphere

UFC Fight Night Vancouver delivered: Malott’s TKO of Holland, Vera’s decision over Zahabi. Prelims featured Bekoev’s submission win. Rogers Arena’s 12,000 fans, amid BC Place expos and rainy festivities, created electric vibes. @UFC tweeted, “Vancouver brings the heat!” 65% finish rate and ESPN+ success marked a classic.

What’s Next?

De Ridder targets Du Plessis at UFC 325; Allen faces Imavov in December. De Ridder’s submission cements his rise, with title dreams next.

De Ridder vs. Allen on October 18, 2025, saw Reinier de Ridder submit Brendan Allen in Round 3, his grappling control and 58% striking accuracy dominating the contender bout. Rogers Arena’s roar and stacked card amplified the stakes. As de Ridder eyes the belt and Allen rebounds, this defines middleweight’s future.