Brendan Allen Dominates Reinier de Ridder in UFC Vancouver Main Event

A Night of Triumph and Resilience in the Octagon

Brendan Allen made a name for himself at UFC Fight Night 262, stepping in as a last-minute replacement to face Reinier de Ridder. The VFS Academy representative showcased his resilience and skill, securing a technical knockout victory in the middleweight division. De Ridder (21-3, 4-1 UFC) was forced to exit the fight in the fourth round due to a corner stoppage, marking a significant setback for the former two-division ONE Championship titleholder.

Allen (26-7, 14-4 UFC) endured a tough first round where de Ridder took control with a takedown and ground-and-pound. However, the Louisiana native showed his tenacity by reversing the momentum in subsequent rounds. Despite de Ridder's efforts to maintain control, Allen's aggressive ground-and-pound proved too much, leading to a decisive finish in the fourth round. This win further solidifies Allen’s position as a contender in the middleweight division, as he has now secured nine wins in his last 11 fights.

Mike Malott Secures a Major Victory

In the co-main event, Niagara Top Team fighter Mike Malott delivered a strong performance against Kevin Holland. Malott (13-2-1, 6-1 UFC) earned a unanimous decision with all three judges scoring the bout 29-28 in his favor. Holland (28-15, 15-12 UFC) faced challenges early on, suffering from low blows that disrupted his rhythm. These fouls not only affected his performance but also led to a medical examination before the second round. Malott capitalized on this, landing key strikes and even attempting an arm-triangle choke in the third round. This victory marks a three-fight winning streak for Malott, positioning him as a rising star in the welterweight division.

Aiemann Zahabi's Strategic Win

On the main card, Aiemann Zahabi emerged victorious against Marlon Vera in a closely contested bantamweight bout. Zahabi (14-2, 8-2 UFC) won via split decision, with two judges scoring it 29-28 in his favor and one for Vera. Zahabi displayed superior aggression and output, targeting Vera’s lead leg with powerful kicks and using his mobility to control the fight. Despite a second-round knockdown, Zahabi maintained his composure and ultimately outworked Vera over the course of the three rounds. This win extends Zahabi’s current streak to seven consecutive victories.

Manon Fiorot Dominates in Women's Flyweight

Manon Fiorot continued her impressive run in the women's flyweight division, defeating Jasmine Jasudavicius in the first round. Jasudavicius (14-4, 8-3 UFC), who had never been finished before, fell to Fiorot (13-2, 8-1 UFC) at 1:14 into the fight. Fiorot demonstrated her striking prowess, landing a counter left hand followed by a collar-tie knee that sent Jasudavicius to the mat. She then delivered a series of unanswered strikes to secure the finish. This victory marked the end of Jasudavicius' five-fight winning streak.

Charles Jourdain Secures Another Submission

Charles Jourdain added another submission to his record, defeating Davey Grant with a guillotine choke in the first round. Jourdain (17-8-1, 8-7-1 UFC) showcased his explosive skills, landing a Superman punch and a flying knee that knocked Grant (17-8, 8-7 UFC) to the canvas. He then secured the guillotine and forced the tapout at 3:05 into the fight. This win marks Jourdain’s fifth career guillotine choke submission, highlighting his effectiveness in the bantamweight division.

Kyle Nelson Overcomes Controversy

In the lightweight preliminary bout, Kyle Nelson overcame an officiating error to earn a unanimous decision over Matt Frevola. All three judges scored the bout in Nelson’s favor, with scores of 30-27, 29-28, and 29-28. The controversy arose in the first round when Nelson dropped Frevola with a right hand, but the referee mistakenly stopped the fight. Despite this, Nelson adjusted and dominated the next two rounds with effective striking and takedowns. This victory adds to Nelson’s growing record, as he continues to prove himself as a formidable competitor.