De Ridder headlines UFC Vancouver in short-notice middleweight title bid

Reinier de Ridder will headline UFC Vancouver on Saturday at Rogers Arena, stepping into a short-notice main event against Brendan Allen after Anthony Hernandez withdrew with an injury. The middleweight bout carries title implications for the division, with the winner expected to press toward a shot at Khamzat Chimaev’s belt. The card’s main action begins at 7 p.m. Eastern with prelims earlier in the afternoon.

De Ridder, a former two-division champion in another major promotion, arrives off a decision win over former champion Robert Whittaker and is widely viewed as the betting favorite. Allen, a late replacement, is coming off a notable victory over Marvin Vettori but has split recent outings and entered the fight in need of a signature win to reassert title contention. Hernandez’s injury opened the door for Allen, who accepted the fight on short notice, preserving the prospect of a clear next-in-line contender emerging from the bout.

Both fighters bring contrasting profiles into the cage. De Ridder’s recent run includes a knockout of Bo Nickal and a submission win over Kevin Holland, and he has shown a blend of grappling control and improving striking against higher-level...