Reinier de Ridder‘s battle in Vancouver involves more than just middleweight stakes. With last-minute opponent changes and a bigger target in the division, the tension is high. Every exchange, grapple, and takedown might determine whether de Ridder establishes himself as a legitimate contender or fades into the rising middleweight ranks. And behind the scenes, he’s already planning what comes next, hinting at a matchup that could shake the division to its core.

Brendan Allen steps in as the replacement opponent, bringing a combination of resilience and experience. Allen enters the fight on a high note after defeating Marvin Vettori, but recent losses to Nassourdine Imavov and Anthony Hernandez show some cracks in his style. For de Ridder, this is more than just a test; it’s an opportunity to achieve something previous competitors couldn’t.

‘The Dutch Knight’, confident against Brendan Allen, and getting a title shot

“I’ve been saying this a lot but Brendan did very well against Imavov. He did very well against ‘Flyffy’. Both of them weren’t able to finish Brendan. I think if I can put him away, that’s a definite statement that I’m next,” de Ridder told ESPN, setting the stage for what looks to be a high-stakes fight. However, the conversation isn’t just about ‘All In.’ Reinier de Ridder’s mind is on one of the most feared forces in the UFC: Khamzat Chimaev.

‘The Dutch Knight’ seems excited by the idea of a grappling-heavy, pressure-packed battle with Chimaev that provides him an opportunity to showcase his skill set. “I think a fight with me and Khamzat would be very cool, just for the grappling exchanges, the clinch exchanges, the takedowns, the jiu-jitsu. So that’s what I’m hoping,” de Ridder shared, suggesting that the true drama is already unfolding beyond Vancouver.

De Ridder’s confidence is reinforced by his remarkable 21-2 record and history as a two-time ONE Championship champion. ‘The Dutch Knight’ understands the stakes, the spotlight, and the pressure of facing an athlete like ‘Borz.’ For him, it’s about more than just winning; it’s about proving technical expertise that might shape the course of his UFC career.

Every move, scramble, and takedown matters in this potential marquee matchup. If Reinier de Ridder successfully navigates past Allen, the stage will be set for the highly anticipated duel with Chimaev. Or at least, that remains a possibility for now, since it is worth considering that while ‘RDR’ aims for the middleweight gold, Borz is looking for a completely different fight.

Skipping Reinier de Ridder, Khamzat Chimaev has Alex Pereira in his sights

While Reinier de Ridder focuses on his middleweight climb, Chimaev is already thinking bigger. The newly crowned middleweight champion isn’t thrilled to stay in the same division after UFC 319; he’s looking to move up to light heavyweight to face Alex Pereira, who just knocked out Magomed Ankalaev in 80 seconds. With this, Chimaev’s desire for a second belt suggests that he is seeking legacy-defining fights, not waiting for de Ridder’s rise.

Speaking with Arslanbek Badaev, Chimaev admitted that ‘Poatan’ is a solid stylistic matchup, but only if he avoids reckless striking. “If you ask me, of course, I would love to fight for the second belt. It’s not a secret; the guy (Alex Pereira) who has got the belt at 205 lbs now is a very good matchup for me, except if I should get reckless standing with him,” he said, appreciating Pereira’s knockout power while highlighting his methodical approach.

Dana White seems open to matching Chimaev with top middleweight contenders first, which means he may defend his title once or twice before going up. But, with his sights set on Pereira and his quest for multi-division success, fans can expect the Chechen dynamo to continue pushing for the high-risk, high-reward showdown. While Reinier de Ridder plots his immediate path, ‘Borz’ is clearly focused on legacy and a potential collision with one of the UFC’s deadliest strikers.