Brendan Allen Surges in UFC Rankings After Vancouver Victory
The UFC rankings experienced significant changes following the event in Vancouver last weekend. During the UFC Fight Night card, Brendan Allen emerged as a key player in the middleweight division by defeating Reinier de Ridder. Allen, who stepped in on short notice to replace Anthony Hernandez, forced de Ridder to retire between the fourth and fifth rounds, marking a pivotal moment in both fighters’ careers.
Allen’s victory propelled him up four spots in the rankings, landing him at the impressive position of #5 in the middleweight division. This outcome also had dire consequences for de Ridder, who dropped four positions to #8 after his first defeat in the UFC. The 35-year-old fighter was anticipated to be a contender for the middleweight title, but his loss has shifted the landscape in the division significantly. Former champion Robert Whittaker has also been affected, now sitting at #9, while Jared Cannonier moved up to share the #10 spot with Michael “Venom” Page.
UFC Vancouver showcased a roster of ranked fighters, and Allen’s performance stood out, particularly given the backdrop of a highly competitive event. Despite withdrawing from the event, Anthony Hernandez moved up two positions to #4, just ahead of Allen, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the rankings.
Fiorot’s Dominant Win Shakes Up Women’s Flyweight Division
Among the other notable bouts, the matchup between women’s flyweight contenders Manon Fiorot and Jasmine Jasudavicius also had significant implications. Fiorot entered the fight following a title challenge against Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 315, while Jasudavicius aimed to extend her winning streak. Fiorot emerged victorious, stopping Jasudavicius with strikes just over a minute into the fight. This win allowed Fiorot to reclaim the #1 contender spot in the flyweight rankings, displacing Natalia Silva.
Unfortunately for Jasudavicius, her defeat resulted in a drop to #7 in the women’s flyweight rankings. In an unexpected twist, Fiorot’s success led to a shift in the women’s pound-for-pound rankings, with “The Beast” falling to #5 and Silva moving up to #4. Two-time Women’s Bantamweight Champion Julianna Peña now occupies the #6 position after a decline.
Zahabi and Malott Make Their Mark
Another thrilling matchup occurred in the bantamweight division, where Aiemann Zahabi faced Marlon Vera. Zahabi extended his win streak to seven fights with a narrow split decision victory. This win elevated him to #7 in the bantamweight rankings, while Vera slipped to #8, which puts him at risk of facing a three-fight losing streak.
Mike Malott also made headlines by rounding out the welterweight rankings at #15 after a unanimous decision win over Kevin Holland, who was previously ranked. This marks a significant achievement for Malott, who has now established himself among the UFC’s elite competitors.
As the UFC prepares for its next event, UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi, the outcomes from Vancouver have reshaped the competitive landscape and set the stage for future title shots. Fans and analysts alike will be closely watching the implications of these changes as fighters seek to secure their positions in the rankings moving forward.
