Reinier de Ridder has broken his silence after his loss to Brendan Allen in Vancouver ended his undefeated run in the UFC.
De Ridder’s fast start saw him secure an early takedown and spend much of the opening round looking for a submission on Allen’s back. Unfortunately, de Ridder was unable to finish and Allen began to get the better of him in the second round, leading to the former ONE2 weight class champion running out of gas badly.
By the end of the fourth round, de Ridder was barely able to stand and return to his corner, but he was unable to get off the stool while Allen celebrated the stoppage victory.
“I wasn’t the best fighter in the cage on Saturday and it hurts,” De Ridder wrote on Instagram. “But next to the crazy highs, I’m grateful to be able to experience the lows as well. So many people live life in a constant 6/10, but as fighters we get to experience all the options.”
The loss ended De Ridder’s undefeated streak in the UFC at four fights, which included wins over Bo Knickal and former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker.
De Ridder was one of the most prolific fighters during his career, and Allen will make his fourth appearance in the Octagon in 2025. Judging by his statements, De Ridder may have been exhausted by his busy schedule and is now desperate for a break before returning in 2026.
“If we’ve ever shared a mat, you know that I tend to work harder than anyone else,” said de Ridder. “But in the last two camps I may have been exaggerating a little bit. I was so focused on winning the title and being ready when the opportunity came that I didn’t listen to my body and it showed last Saturday.
“I’m not going to get sidetracked, but Daddy’s taking some time off with the kids. I’m not what I used to be, but I will be again. Those who know me know what I’m here for. Be well and I’ll see you soon.”
De Ridder’s loss likely cements Nasouddin Imavov as the next contender for a title fight against current middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev.
Obviously, De Ridder didn’t get the results he was hoping for, but now it looks like he’s recharged, regrouped, and ready to start his next run when he books his next fight in the UFC.