Anthony Hernandez out, Allen to face de Ridder at Rogers Arena

Anthony Hernandez has been forced off the Oct. 18 UFC Vancouver main event against Reinier de Ridder after suffering an undisclosed injury, and Brendan Allen will step in on short notice to face de Ridder in the five-round headliner at Rogers Arena, the promotion announced Monday.

Hernandez, who had been expected to square off with de Ridder in what many viewed as a potential title-eliminator at 185 pounds, confirmed the withdrawal in an Instagram post, apologizing to the UFC, to de Ridder and to fans. "Ive had to pull out of my upcoming fight due to injury," he wrote, without providing details or a timetable for his return. Hernandez thanked Allen for stepping up and said his focus is on getting healthy and coming back stronger.

The change reshuffles a main event that had significant title implications. De Ridder, a former two-division champion in ONE Championship who has risen rapidly since joining the UFC and is widely regarded as one of the division's top contenders, most recently defeated former champion Robert Whittaker. Allen, reported to be ranked No. 11 in the middleweight division, arrives off a victory over Marvin Vettori that snapped a two-fight skid. He is a...