It was supposed to be Reinier De Ridder’s defining moment, a top contender clash against Anthony ‘Fluffy’ Hernandez that could have rewritten the middleweight title picture. But MMA, like life, doesn’t always go according to plan. When Hernandez withdrew from UFC Vancouver with an undisclosed injury, the stakes of the October 18 card seemed to collapse overnight.

Then came Brendan Allen . The 25-7 contender stepped in on relatively short notice, saving not just the main event, but possibly De Ridder’s momentum toward a title shot. For a fighter who’s been on a furious schedule, on pace for five UFC bouts in less than a year, this was no ordinary fight week. ‘The Dutch Knight’ knows the spotlight in Vancouver might be his clearest path to Khamzat Chimaev’s middleweight crown!

Rein

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