The month of October continues to produce more and more compelling fights. With two of the biggest stars in UFC already booked to fight (Alex Pereira, Charles Olivera) in the month, two more up-and-coming stars will face off on October 18th. This fight is very compelling and has big consequences for who will see a middleweight title opportunity next. As well as other fan favorite fighters appearing on the card.
Reinier de Ridder vs Anthony Hernandez:
Reinier de Ridder is coming off an impressive performance against a former UFC middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker, bringing him to 4-0 in the UFC. Ridder himself is a former two-division champion in ONE Championship before coming over to the UFC to attempt to win the middleweight belt. He has climbed the rankings quickly, and many fans think he is next in line for a title opportunity within his next couple of fights. Ridder recently called out the current middleweight champion, Khamzat Chimaev, after his dominant win against former champion Dricus Du Plessis. Ridder believes that, with his size and elite grappling skills, he is the man who will dethrone the one whom many consider to be the scariest guy in the UFC.
There is a man who stands in his way, though, and that is Anthony Hernandez. Hernandez is coming off a masterclass win against the formidable Roman Dolidze to bring his winning streak to eight. Hernandez has been climbing up the middleweight ladder for a long time, and this will be a massive opportunity to prove that he is the next contender for the belt. He also has taken shots at Khamzat Chimaev, claiming that with his grappling, takedown defense, and elite cardio, he would “drown him”.
Both men are in their prime and believe they have the skillset to outlast the other. Both have great grappling and orthodox styles that make fighting them especially difficult. The fight will likely be grappling-heavy and could ultimately be decided on who has the better gas tank, which Hernandez seems to have the advantage in. Ridder has the size, and Hernandez has the cardio, all coming to fruition on October 18th in Vancouver, Canada.
Kevin Holland vs Mike Malott:
Canada’s own Mike Malott takes on the fan favorite Kevin Holland in Holland’s fifth fight of the year. Holland is coming off of a razor thin loss to Daniel Rodriguez in what could be a fight of the year candidate. Known for his activity in the cage, Holland is fighting more and more every year. In the tenth month of the year it will be his fifth fight. Averaging a fight every two months is unheard of in MMA and the craziest part is that he win the majority of these fights. He is facing the talented Mike Malott who is coming off a KO win on his last fight. Malott is the go to guy whenever the UFC visits Canada and this time is no different. The power puncher in Malott will take on the lengthy and unorthodox Holland in what will likely be a chaotic and entertaining fight.
Other Notable Fights:
#7 Marlon “Chito” Vera vs #10 Aiemann Zhabi
#2 Manon Fiorot vs #5 Jasmine Jasudavicius
Canada will see a plethora of entertainment that will leave all MMA fans satisfied. Huge title implications across multiple weight classes and fighters that everyone loves to see will square off in Vancouver on October 18th.
