Reinier de Ridder has broken his silence after his undefeated run in the UFC came to an end after falling to Brendan Allen in Vancouver.
A fast start from de Ridder saw him secure an early takedown and spend the majority of the opening round on Allen’s back searching for submissions. Unfortunately, de Ridder didn’t get the finish and Allen started outgrappling him in the second round, which led to the former ONE two-division champion gassing out badly.
By the end of the fourth round, de Ridder could barely stand to make it back to his corner, and he didn’t make it off the stool as Allen celebrated his stoppage victory.
“I was not the best fighter in the cage Saturday and it stings,” de Ridder wrote on Instagram. “But next to all the crazy highs I am also grateful to experience the lows. So many people go through life at a constant 6/10 but as a fighter we get to experience the full set of options.”
The loss ended de Ridder’s four-fight unbeaten streak in the UFC, which included victories over Bo Nickal and former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker.
During his run, de Ridder has also been one of the most active fighters with Allen serving as his fourth appearance in the octagon in 2025. Judging by his statement, de Ridder may have exhausted himself with his busy schedule and now he’s anxious for a break before returning to action in 2026.
“If we have shared the mats you know I tend to work more and harder than anybody else,” de Ridder said. “But over the last two camps, I might have exaggerated a little bit. I was so focused on getting that title and being ready once the chance came that I failed to listen to my body and last Saturday that showed.
“I shall not stray the course but daddy is taking some time off kids. I was not myself but I will be again. If you know me, you know what I’m coming for. Be nice out there and see you soon.”
The loss by de Ridder likely cemented Nassourdine Imavov as the next person in line for a title shot against current middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev.
Obviously, de Ridder didn’t get the outcome he wanted but now it appears he’s ready to recharge and regroup to begin another run when he books his next fight in the UFC.
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