Saturday night promises an energetic night for combat-sports fans the world over, with the spotlight firmly on UFC Fight Night: de Ridder vs. Allen from Vancouver — but it's not the only show out there. From the main card in Canada to regional MMA and kickboxing action in Europe and beyond, fight fans have plenty to dig into.

Vancouver Takes Center Stage

The glimmering lights of Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada will host the UFC evening, featuring a collision of middleweight contenders in the main event: Reinier de Ridder vs. Brendan Allen.

De Ridder, riding a potent streak (21-2 MMA) and fresh off key wins in the UFC, will have his next big test in Allen, who stepped in after an injury withdrawal by another.

The card opens with prelims at 4 p.m. ET, the main card at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and Sirius XM.

Co-main features welterweight action between Kevin Holland and Mike Malott, adding to Canadian interest.

Other highlighted fights on the main card include bantamweight star Marlon Vera vs. Aiemann Zahabi and women's flyweight contender clash Manon Fiorot vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius.

For fans of MMA's elite promotions, this is the evening's marquee event — but fight-week energy extends much further.

Global Undercards: Not Just UFC

Meanwhile, outside of the UFC's major stage, other fight promotions keep the engine running.

Over in Santa Cruz, California, the Central Coast Fighting Championship (CCFC) event takes place this Saturday with 11 fights on the card. While smaller in scale, these regional shows can launch future stars and provide compelling action for devoted fans.

Across the pond in Poland, the Bastion Fight Night 3 (MMA + Kickboxing) at Hala Energia in Bełchatów brings eight MMA matches and one kickboxing bout to the ring on the same date.

Why Tonight Matters

For the UFC middleweight division, the de Ridder vs. Allen matchup carries heavyweight implications: the winner could position themselves for a title shot soon.

For regional fans and niche fight followers, the smaller promotions serve as proving grounds and local showcases — and offer a reminder that combat sports are far bigger than the headline brand alone.

What to Watch For

De Ridder's grappling dominance vs. Allen's resilience: Can Allen withstand the pressure and take the fight elsewhere, or will de Ridder impose his game?

Canadian crowd energy: With Malott in the co-main and the event in Vancouver, local support could play a lively role.

Upset potential on undercards across all promotions: From CCFC to Bastion Fight Night, fighters hungry for breakthrough moments often shine on the undercard.

Final Word

Whether you're tuning into ESPN+ for the UFC or keeping an eye on regional streams for smaller shows, tonight is a full-blown fight night. From global stars in Vancouver to rising contenders in regional cages and rings, there's plenty of action to feed the MMA appetite.