High stakes UFC title implications: Brendan Allen’s shot

A new fighting week is just around the corner UFC Fight Night: the Knight vs. All goes to Vancouver this Saturday. De Ridder was originally scheduled to face Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez, but will now face No. 9 middleweight Brendan Allen as a late replacement.

Hernandez has made waves in the middleweight division, riding an impressive eight-fight win streak, with six of those wins coming in the mail. In February he scored a decisive victory over none other than Brendan, the man who will take his place this weekend.

Allen, while undeniably talented, has lost in two of his last three UFC appearances. This raises an important question: Would a win on Saturday put him in title contention in the same way that Hernandez likely would have?

Hernandez’s claim for a title shot became undeniable. In contrast, Allen’s position in the title picture remains debatable at best.

From underdog to UFC candidate: Allen wants to seize his moment

Reinier de Ridder first gained recognition among casual fans when he defeated Bo Nickal, and is now coming off a grueling, back-and-forth main event battle against former champion Robert Whittaker. The middleweight division has seen a quasi-tournament unfold, with Caio Borralho at the other end of the pack.

However, Borralho’s recent loss to Nassourdine Imavov, in a fight without excitement, left fans disappointed. As a result, many expected the winner of the more anticipated match between Fluffy and de Ridder to get the next shot at Khamzat Chimaev.

Brendan Allen is up for the challenge and recently scored an impressive victory over former title challenger Marvin Vittori, his most high-profile victory to date. That performance reaffirmed his evolution as a serious competitor in the division. With momentum on his side and the spotlight shining bright, Saturday’s main event represents more than just a battle. It’s a defining moment, a chance to silence doubt, rewrite the narrative and force his name into the heart of the middleweight title conversation.