Brendan Allen Upsets de Ridder, Sparks Title Talk

Brendan Allen stepped in on short notice at UFC Vancouver and forced a corner-stoppage TKO between rounds four and five over former two‑division ONE champion Reinier de Ridder. The upset has shaken up the middleweight division and vaulted Allen into the title conversation; he publicly called for fights with champion Khamzat Chimaev and former champion Dricus du Plessis, and analysts are already projecting high‑profile next opponents. The card featured a big night for Canadian Mike Malott (over Kevin Holland) and other performances with potential ranking implications. The event was also overshadowed by controversial officiating, including scrutiny of referee Dan Miragliotta’s handling of the Malott–Holland fight and disputed low‑blow moments.