UFC Fight Night 262: Reinier de Ridder vs Brendan Allen Preview & Prediction
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A title shot at 185 pounds could well be on the line as Brendan Allen steps in for the injured Anthony Hernandez against the streaking "RDR."
Reinier de Ridder vs Brendan Allen facts
What time are Reinier de Ridder and Brendan Allen expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night 262: De Ridder vs Allen? Rogers Arena, Vancouver, Canada
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 262: De Ridder vs Allen? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 262
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night 262: De Ridder vs Allen on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 262: De Ridder vs Allen? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night 262: De Ridder vs Allen main card
Reinier de Ridder vs Brendan Allen (Middleweight)
Kevin Holland vs Mike Malott (Welterweight)
Marlon Vera vs Aiemann Zahabi (Bantamweight)
Manon Fiorot vs Jasmine Jasudavicius (Women’s Flyweight)
Cody Gibson vs Aori Qileng (Bantamweight)
Kyle Nelson vs Matt Frevola (Lightweight)
UFC Fight Night 262: De Ridder vs Allen prelims
Charles Jourdain vs Davey Grant (Bantamweight)
Bruno Gustavo da Silva vs Park Hyun-sung (Flyweight)
Danny Barlow vs Djorden Ribeiro dos Santos (Middleweight)
Kyle Prepolec vs Drew Dober (Lightweight)
Stephanie Luciano vs Ravena Oliveira (Women’s Strawweight)
Azamat Bekoev vs Yousri Belgaroui (Middleweight)
Melissa Croden vs Tainara Lisboa (Women’s Bantamweight)
Reinier de Ridder: Can "The Dutch Knight" secure a title shot?
Owner of a perfect 4-0 UFC run since joining the promotion just under a year ago, Reinier de Ridder (21-2) was originally slated to face Anthony Hernandez, in what many were whispering could well be a title elimination bout with an impressive showing off the back of Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho’s lackluster showdown. Unfortunately, the injury bug struck “Fluffy” from the card, leaving de Ridder to face Brendan Allen as a replacement. Entering this match up off the back of a highly impressive decision victory over former champion Robert Whittaker, de Ridder looks to keep his name in the title conversation at 185 pounds with his fifth straight win.
Brendan Allen: "All In" looks to steal "RDR's" momentum
A UFC competitor since 2019, Brendan Allen (25-7) looked poised to break into title contention at middleweight off the back of a seven fight win streak between 2022 and 2024. Unfortunately for “All In,” he would then come up short to top contenders Nassourdine Imavov and Anthony Hernandez in back to back fights, losing clear cut decisions in fights that seemingly showed his ceiling as a contender. While Allen rebounded somewhat in his last showing, few will be breaking out the champagne for a win over the notoriously one-dimensional Marvin Vettori at UFC 318.
Reinier de Ridder vs Brendan Allen prediction
While this matchup undoubtedly saved the card, the MMA fandom is likely universally cursing the fact that it won’t be Anthony Hernandez standing across from “RDR” on Saturday night.
Make no mistake, Allen is a well-rounded competitor who has beaten solid levels of competition throughout the promotion. He’s got underrated boxing to complement his impressive submission skills, and was widely considered as a dark horse in the middleweight title race prior to running into Nassourdine Imavov and the aforementioned “Fluffy.”
And therein, lies the problem. Allen has been decisively beaten by the elite of the division, a mold that de Ridder seemingly fits based on his UFC run to date. “All In” isn’t a small middleweight, but he’s also going to be on the wrong end of a discrepancy in height and reach here. It’s easy to envision de Ridder using his physicality to wear on Allen, spearing them with spiteful knees to the body in order to set up his takedowns and work his submission game. Nassourdine Imavov is an underrated grappler, but if he was able to best Allen on the mat, de Ridder could quite conceivably destroy him there.
Allen’s well rounded game and toughness could see him survive to a decision, but it’s hard to see him halting the streaking RDR’s momentum. The Dutchman does everything Allen can do, but he does it that little bit better.
Prediction: Reinier de Ridder to win
