The UFC returns to Canada on Saturday the 18th of October with a thrilling night of fights at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver. Headlined by a pivotal middleweight clash between Reinier de Ridder and Brendan Allen, we take a closer look at the key matchups from a betting perspective.
Click here to bet on the full fight card
REINIER DE RIDDER vs BRENDAN ALLEN
Middleweight – Main Event
Reinier de Ridder enters Vancouver in the best form of his UFC career, riding a dominant streak that has seen him win all four of his appearances inside the Octagon. Since joining the promotion, de Ridder has showcased an elite mix of grappling control and striking, with three of his victories coming by stoppage.
After finishing Kevin Holland and Gerald Meerschaert, de Ridder went on to knockout Bo Nickal and edge former champion Robert Whittaker in a hard-fought split decision this past July. With a perfect 4–0 record, the Dutch submission specialist looks to continue his surge and place himself firmly in the title conversation.
Brendan Allen arrives in Vancouver with the experience of seventeen UFC bouts since his debut in 2019, compiling a record of twelve wins and five losses. The American submission artist has beaten talented opposition such as Paul Craig, Andre Muniz, and Chris Curtis during his rise through the middleweight ranks.
Known for his creative grappling and steady pressure, Allen comes into this fight following a strong decision win over Marvin Vettori in July. A victory over de Ridder would mark one of the biggest moments of his career and reassert him among the division’s elite contenders.
BETTING – click here to bet
de Ridder 1.47
Allen 2.80
PREDICTION:
De Ridder’s control and composure on the ground should edge out Allen’s aggression. I am expecting the Dutchman to win by decision after a technical grappling battle.
KEVIN HOLLAND vs MIKE MALOTT
Welterweight – Co-Main Event
Kevin Holland returns to action looking to bounce back after a narrow decision loss to Daniel Rodriguez in July. Since debuting in 2018, Holland has built one of the most entertaining resumes in the UFC, holding a record of fifteen wins, eleven losses, and one no contest inside the organisation.
Known for his slick striking and unpredictable style, the American has beaten names such as Michael Chiesa, Santiago Ponzinibbio, and Vicente Luque and his groundwork also should not be overlooked this weekend.
Mike Malott, the Canadian, enters the biggest fight of his career and he has been on solid form since joining the UFC in 2022. Holding a 5–1 record inside the institution, Malott has impressed with his composure, technical boxing, and opportunistic finishing ability.
With stoppage victories over Yohan Lainesse and Adam Fugitt, he now faces his toughest test yet against an experienced veteran in Holland. Notably he won his most recent fight against Charles Radtke by second round knockout when they met in May.
BETTING – click here to bet
Holland 1.93
Malott 1.91
PREDICTION:
Holland’s reach and grappling could overwhelm Malott as the fight wears on. I see Holland taking this one by submission in the late stages of the fight.
MARLON VERA vs AIEMANN ZAHABI
Bantamweight – Main Card Bout
Marlon Vera, the Ecuadorian born fighter, steps into the cage aiming to snap a two-fight skid after competitive losses to Sean O’Malley and Deiveson Figueiredo last year. Since his UFC debut in 2014, Vera has compiled a record of fifteen wins and nine losses inside the octagon, earning his reputation as one of the most durable and dangerous bantamweights in the division.
Aiemann Zahabi, representing Canada, enters the bout on a six-fight winning streak and holds a 7–2 record in the UFC since his first fight in 2017. He has shown sharp striking and composure under pressure, recently outpointing Pedro Munhoz and Jose Aldo when he last fought in May.
BETTING – click here to bet
Vera 2.15
Zahabi 1.73
PREDICTION:
Vera’s pressure and power shots should be the difference. I believe this will be a close decision win for Vera after a well contested war.
SUGGESTED BETS:
de Ridder vs Allen
Fight to go the distance YES at 3.00
Holland vs Malott
Holland to win at 1.93
Vera vs Zahabi
Vera to win at 2.15
Note: All prices are correct at the time of writing but subject to change.