Bye-bye Abu Dhabi? Dana White crushes Khamzat's big plans with ‘de Ridder vs. Hernandez'-led UFC Vancouver event
A gigantic Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight fight is going down in 'Raincouver.'
UFC CEO, Dana White, announced today that No. 5-ranked Reinier de Ridder will take on No. 6-seeded Anthony Hernandez in the main event of UFC Vancouver on Sat., Oct. 18, 2025, inside Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
The announcement shakes up the 185-pound division as brand new champion, Khamzat Chimaev, had been eyeing a quick turnaround at UFC 321, which takes place just one week later in Abu Dhabi. For now, 'Borz' — who wiped the Octagon floor with now-former champion, Dricus du Plessis, at UFC 319 this past weekend (Aug. 16, 2025) in Chicago — will have to wait.
Even though Chimaev specifically called out 'RDR' … and the surging Dutch finisher agreed.
Nevertheless, de Ridder (21-2) has been red-hot since entering the Octagon, and UFC Vancouver will mark his fourth appearance of 2025. The Dutch standout is coming off a decision win over former Middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker.
Prior to that, he shocked the MMA world by becoming the first man to defeat Bo Nickal (watch highlights), then followed it up with a submission over Kevin Holland at UFC 311.
It was impressive.
Meanwhile, Hernandez (15-2) is fresh off a 'Performance of the Night' bonus-winning, four-round demolition (and submission) of Roman Dolidze. 'Fluffy' is riding an eight-fight win streak — the longest active run in the Middleweight division.
Even more impressive? Hernandez has finished six of those eight victories.
In addition to the pivotal headliner, White also announced that Kevin Holland will return for the fifth time this year to face Canada's own Mike Malott. Holland (2-2 in 2025) is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Daniel Rodriguez, while Malott is fresh off a stoppage win over Charles Radtke.
Checkout what UFC Vancouver looks like so far:
Reinier de Ridder vs. Anthony Hernandez
Marlon Vera vs. Aiemann Zahabi
Kevin Holland vs. Mike Malott
Manon Fiorot vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius
Azamat Bekoev vs. Yousri Belgaroui
HyunSung Park vs. Bruno Silva
Danny Barlow vs. Djorden Santos
Stephanie Luciano vs. Ravena Oliveira
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