Allen to replace Hernandez in UFC Vancouver main event vs. De Ridder

UFC Vancouver is getting a new main event.

The promotion announced Monday that middleweight contender Reinier de Ridder will fight Brendan Allen instead of Anthony Hernandez on Oct. 18 in Canada.

The UFC didn't reveal what led Hernandez, the fourth-ranked middleweight, to withdraw from the event. He's on an eight-fight winning streak.

The announcement comes hours after Paulo Costa tweeted that the UFC inquired if he would take a five-round fight against a top-five middleweight because of an injury. Costa declined the short-notice offer, saying he'd only accept it if it was a three-round bout.

De Ridder, who ranks fifth in the middleweight division, is 4-0 since making his UFC debut in November 2024. The 34-year-old most recently defeated Robert Whittaker on July 26.

Allen is the No. 11 middleweight. He defeated Marvin Vettori by unanimous decision July 19 to snap a two-fight skid.