The roar of the crowd in Vancouver’s Rogers Arena set the stage for a night that promised drama, grit, and a showcase of mixed martial arts at its highest level. UFC Fight Night 262 arrived in Canada on October 18, 2025, headlined by a middleweight clash between Reinier de Ridder and Brendan Allen—a matchup that wasn’t even on the original fight card. When Anthony Hernandez withdrew due to injury, Allen stepped in on short notice, injecting a fresh wave of intrigue and unpredictability into the main event.
For Reinier de Ridder, known as ‘The Dutch Knight,’ the stakes were crystal clear: a victory over Allen could cement his claim as a top middleweight contender, perhaps even propelling him toward a title shot. But Allen, dubbed ‘All In,’ wasn’t just a replacement. He was a formidable force, bringing a reputation for adaptability, relentless pressure, and a well-rounded skill set that could threaten any opponent in the division.
Veteran fighters and analysts across the MMA world weighed in, offering their takes on how this high-stakes bout might unfold. Belal Muhammad, himself no stranger to the Octagon’s pressures, highlighted Allen’s flexibility and readiness. “Brendan Allen has been inches away from beating both of these guys. He has the striking to strike with the best, the grappling to grapple with the best, the wrestling to wrestle with the best,” Muhammad observed, emphasizing Allen’s mental approach and ability to adjust on the fly. “And now he’s working with the best. We’re going to get him ready for Saturday night. He’s going to go out there, shock the world.”
Allen’s journey to the ceremonial weigh-in on October 17, 2025, at Rogers Arena was a testament to his determination. Stepping onto the scales, he looked focused, aware that this opportunity could redefine his place in the UFC’s middleweight landscape.
But it wasn’t just Allen’s story that had fans buzzing. De Ridder’s reputation as a grappling specialist was backed by hard statistics—an average of 2.86 takedowns per 15 minutes and a 66% takedown defense. These numbers, combined with his history of controlling opponents on the ground, made him a daunting puzzle for any challenger. Michael Bisping, breaking down the matchup on his YouTube channel, noted, “Brendan Allen has the skills to really cause problems for Reinier de Ridder. He’s very well-rounded. He’s a tremendously talented grappler.” Yet, Bisping also pointed to Allen’s occasional mental lapses: “Not being offensive to him, it’s this side of things that seems to get Brendan Allen. He seems to struggle with the mental side. He seems to get in his own way.”
Bisping’s analysis echoed a common theme among experts: this fight wouldn’t just be about physical dominance, but also about strategy, composure, and the ability to adapt under fire. If de Ridder could neutralize Allen’s striking early, he might dictate the tempo and turn the contest into a chess match of grappling and positioning.
Kamaru Usman, the former UFC welterweight champion and one of the sport’s tactical masterminds, called the bout a “tactical war.” Usman explained, “This is a tough fight for both guys… Brendan Allen can strike with the best of them, can grapple with the best of them. But RDR is a guy that can and will catch you in a submission if you’re not on your P’s and Q’s for all 25 minutes. Timing and awareness are everything in this matchup.” Usman’s words underscored the razor-thin margin for error in a fight where one mistake could mean the difference between victory and defeat.
Sean Brady, another respected voice in the MMA community, pushed the narrative further by promoting Allen’s striking as a potential game-changer. “Brendan Allen versus Reinier de Ridder… I am going to pick my boy, Brendan Allen, as an underdog to get it done against de Ridder. I think Brendan hits harder on the feet, has better striking than de Ridder, has really good jiu-jitsu as well, and has good wrestling.” Brady also noted the unique dynamic created by the fighters’ shared training history at Kill Cliff, suggesting that familiarity could influence their approach inside the cage.
Josh Thomson, a longtime analyst and former fighter, framed the contest as a litmus test for de Ridder’s title aspirations. “I think it really comes down to how RDR wins the fight… He puts himself in these positions, though. He is a gamer. He’s somebody that will bring the action. Now it’s about de Ridder showing that he can control and finish the fight without leaving openings.” For Thomson, the key would be whether de Ridder could maintain control without becoming predictable, as Allen’s aggressive style could open doors for counters and submissions.
Chael Sonnen, always candid and insightful, offered a final perspective: “I listened to a very compelling interview by Reinier de Ridder… Should RDR have success over Allen, I think that’s an extra motivator, and I think that is what RDR is looking at. When you go out there and make that walk at times that other people won’t, it’s a win.” Sonnen saw de Ridder’s grappling, patience, and tactical expertise as decisive advantages. If ‘The Dutch Knight’ could control the tempo and capitalize on Allen’s occasional overextensions, he might well solidify his place among the division’s elite.
As the main event approached, anticipation reached a fever pitch. The consensus among analysts was clear: this fight would be a test of skill, strategy, and mental fortitude. Allen’s pressure and striking could put de Ridder on the back foot, but ‘The Dutch Knight’s’ grappling prowess and composure might tip the scales in his favor. The only certainty? Vancouver was in for a thrilling contest that could reshape the middleweight hierarchy.
Elsewhere in the MMA world, Kamaru Usman’s ambitions continued to capture headlines. On the eve of UFC Fight Night 262, Usman outlined his dream scenario: “In this part of my career, the dream scenario is next fight, win the welterweight title. Vacate. Win the middleweight title, retire. Yeah. Just boom boom, one two, and then we’re done. You can’t top that. It’s like, what else do I wanna do?” Despite being in the final phase of his career and not currently a frontrunner for a title shot, Usman’s confidence and vision remain unwavering. His legacy as one of the greatest welterweights of all time is secure, but his hunger for history is undiminished.
Looking ahead, the sport’s cycle of generational change is on full display. Former two-division champion Henry Cejudo is set to face rising bantamweight Payton Talbott at UFC 323 on December 6, 2025, in Las Vegas. Cejudo, who returned from retirement in 2023 only to suffer three consecutive losses, has openly acknowledged that this bout may be his last. Speaking on the Pound 4 Pound podcast with Usman, Cejudo reflected, “The old generation vs. the new. I'm fighting somebody that I guess you could say that I know, somebody that's come out to learn from me. I'm fighting Payton Talbott. It's definitely a contrast of bodies and styles. Payton is a zombie. He'll come at you. He's based on pressure. I'm fighting a new-school guy... I'm fighting the guy that the UFC wants to push.”
Cejudo made it clear that his fighting career would end in the UFC Octagon, dismissing any notion of moving to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship or other promotions. “That’s a fu*king sport where I’m just like Jesus, bro, last resort. I’d rather get into stripping than do BKFC, bro. On my life. If all these female UFC fighters can do it, why can’t I do it?”
As the MMA world turns its eyes to Vancouver and beyond, the stories of de Ridder, Allen, Usman, and Cejudo serve as reminders of the sport’s relentless evolution. Whether it’s a late-replacement main event, a legend’s final charge, or a generational showdown, the UFC continues to deliver moments that keep fans on the edge of their seats. The action in Vancouver is still ongoing, and with so much at stake, every second counts.
