Vancouver, B.C. – October 19, 2025 — The crowd inside Rogers Arena witnessed a stunning upset Saturday night as Brendan Allen delivered the performance of his career, stopping former ONE Championship titleholder Reinier de Ridder in the main event of UFC Fight Night 262.

Allen, who accepted the bout on short notice, overwhelmed de Ridder with relentless grappling and striking pressure over four rounds before forcing the Dutch fighter's corner to throw in the towel. The stoppage came after de Ridder, visibly exhausted and bloodied, failed to answer the bell for the fifth.

"This was my chance to prove I belong with the best," Allen said post-fight. "I respected his ground game, but I knew if I stayed composed and made him work, the fight would go my way."

De Ridder, previously unbeaten in the UFC, entered the contest as a heavy favorite on a five-fight win streak. Early on, he tried to impose his trademark clinch and submission offense, but Allen's takedown defense and well-timed reversals turned the tide. By Round 3, Allen had seized control, landing elbows and hammerfists that opened a cut over de Ridder's right eye. The cumulative damage proved too much as the bout was waved off at the end of the fourth.

The official strike stats underscored Allen's dominance: 128 significant strikes landed to de Ridder's 51, alongside nearly six minutes of ground control. The win catapults the Louisiana-born middleweight into the division's top-five conversation.

Controversy and Chaos on the Undercard

The co-main event between Mike Malott and Kevin Holland ended in a clear decision win for Malott, but not without drama. Holland endured two accidental low blows — both unpenalized — and later vented his frustration on social media, writing: "Never bet on me again." Fans and fighters criticized the officiating, calling for greater consistency in referee oversight.

Elsewhere, bantamweight Aori Qileng produced the card's most explosive finish, flattening Cody Gibson with a straight right hand just 21 seconds into Round 1. The knockout immediately went viral, earning Aori a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.

Another highlight came from the featherweight bout between Kyle Nelson and Matt Frevola, which ended in confusion after referee Dan Miragliotta appeared uncertain about a stoppage, prompting protests from both corners. The sequence reignited ongoing debate about the quality of officiating at recent UFC events.

What It Means for the Division

With his dominant win, Allen has firmly inserted himself into the middleweight title picture. Many are already speculating about potential matchups against contenders like Sean Strickland, Dricus du Plessis, or Robert Whittaker.

For de Ridder, the loss marks a major setback in his UFC campaign. Known for his elite grappling pedigree and composure, he now faces questions about his conditioning and adaptability against higher-caliber opposition.

UFC Fight Night 262 may not have been a pay-per-view spectacle, but it delivered all the ingredients fans crave — high drama, breakout performances, and a few officiating controversies to keep the discussion going. If one theme emerged from Vancouver, it's that Brendan Allen has arrived, and the middleweight division has a new player in the title race.