In a shocking turn of events at UFC Fight Night in Vancouver, Dutch grappling specialist Reinier de Ridder was forced to verbally submit against Brendan Allen, ending his highly anticipated UFC debut in dramatic fashion.
Dream Debut Turns to Nightmare
The former two-division ONE Championship champion entered the octagon with immense expectations, but found himself in a battle for survival against the relentless Allen. What began as a technical ground exchange quickly escalated into a medical emergency when de Ridder suffered what appeared to be a serious shoulder injury during the first round.
The Moment of Crisis
As Allen locked in a tight body triangle from back control, de Ridder could be heard exclaiming in pain. The Dutch fighter later revealed the severity of the damage, stating he felt his shoulder "pop out" during the intense ground scramble.
"I felt my shoulder go," de Ridder confessed post-fight. "It was either tap or risk permanent damage. I had to make the smart choice, even if it hurts my pride."
Allen's Clinical Performance
For Brendan Allen, the victory marks his third consecutive win and solidifies his position in the middleweight division. The American displayed impeccable grappling technique, capitalising on the injury to secure the submission victory at 4:39 of the opening round.
"I felt something was wrong when he stopped defending properly," Allen commented. "I just kept the pressure on and waited for the opportunity. It's not how I wanted to win, but I'll take it."
Medical Aftermath
The extent of de Ridder's shoulder injury remains uncertain, with medical evaluations scheduled immediately following the event. UFC officials confirmed the Dutch fighter would receive full medical support during his recovery period.
What's Next for Both Fighters?
While Allen looks toward climbing the middleweight rankings, de Ridder faces an uncertain future with what could be a significant recovery period ahead. The MMA community now waits anxiously for updates on the Dutch star's condition and potential return timeline.
