Brendan Allen isn’t holding back after his short-notice upset win over Reinier de Ridder at UFC Vancouver this past weekend.
In an exclusive chat with TMZ Sports, Allen explained why he believes the fight ended not because of RDR’s coaches, but because the fighter himself chose to stop.
“He Quit” — Allen Breaks Down the Fifth-Round TKO
The bout concluded when RDR failed to answer the bell for the fifth round, sparking debate about whether it was the corner throwing in the towel or the fighter calling it quits.
Allen watched the replay closely and insisted the decision was all on RDR.
“It was something like, ‘Are you okay, are you okay to keep going?’ or something like that,” Allen said.
“He said, ‘No.’ They said, ‘Are you done?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ It had nothing to do with his coaches. He quit.”
According to Allen, the exchange took place in a different language, but the translation made it clear: the fighter chose to stop, not his corner.
Allen’s Next Moves — Eyes on Big Fights
With the victory, the fifth-ranked UFC middleweight now has his pick of potential opponents. Allen made it clear he’s ambitious but realistic about his next matchup.
“For me, the best-case scenario would probably be Dricus [Du Plessis] in April, I would assume. March, April, May, somewhere around there, that’s the best-case scenario. But if not, you know, there’s still Sean Strickland and I guess [Israel Adesanya].”
Allen admits he’d love a shot at Khamzat Chimaev for the middleweight title down the line, but he understands the timing and matchmaking logistics that come with championship fights.
What This Win Means for Allen
This win over de Ridder wasn’t just a notch in Allen’s belt — it’s a statement victory that solidifies his status among the UFC middleweight elite. Fans and analysts alike are now speculating about title implications, especially with a potential clash against Adesanya or Chimaev on the horizon.
Allen’s blend of skill, composure, and decisiveness in Vancouver has positioned him as a serious contender, and he’s making it clear: he’s ready for the big stage whenever the opportunity arises.
What do you think — did Reinier de Ridder quit or was it a corner stoppage? Drop your thoughts below and stay tuned to The Pop Radar (TPR) for more UFC updates!
