MMASucka Staff Picks UFC Vancouver: Middleweights Battle For Supremacy and A Title Shot

The elite of the elite of the middleweight division come to a head at UFC Vancouver this weekend, as former ONE Championship royalty Reinier de Ridder looks to secure a title shot by toppling the formidable Brendan Allen. In the co-main event, fan-favorite name Kevin Holland tests himself against native hero Mike Malott.  

UFC Fight Night: de Ridder vs Allen: Ceremonial Weigh-In VANCOUVER, CANADA – OCTOBER 17: Brendan Allen and Reinier de Ridder face-off during the UFC Fight Night: de Ridder vs Allen – Ceremonial Weigh-In at Rogers Arena on October 17, 2025 in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Photo by Tomaz Jr/PxImages Vancouver Rogers Arena Vancouver, BC Canada Copyright: xTomazxJrx

UFC Vancouver Main Event

Undefeated in his four bouts with the promotion since joining the UFC last year, de Ridder has emerged as a force in the middleweight division, with him most recently defeating former champion Robert Whittaker earlier in the summer. Now on the cusp of a title opportunity, “The Dutch Knight” will be looking to make himself the next man in line by decimating his short notice opponent.

Getting back into the winner’s circle by taking out divisional nemesis Marvin Vettori at UFC 318, Allen is eager to return to his quest towards the top of the weight class. Facing a previous two-division belt-holder, the South Carolina native is “All In” on making a massive upset this weekend. 

UFC Vancouver Co-Main Event

Continuing to keep a supremely active schedule, Holland competes in his fourth mixed martial arts contest in 2025; his third at welterweight. Seemingly settling into his place as a fan-favorite at 170-lb, “The Trailblazer” wants nothing more than to give the Canadian crowd their money’s worth.  

Standing as the defending hometown hero, Malott fights on his fourth consecutive Canada card. Determined to impress on his native turf, “Proper” will test himself against a true veteran in America’s Holland.   

More Bouts On the UFC Vancouver Main Card

Rounding out the main card, Marlon Vera battles the surging Aiemann Zahabi. Then, one-time flyweight championship challenger Manon Fiorot draws Jasmine Jasudavicius. Also, seasoned bantamweight competitor Cody Gibson locks horns with Aori Qileng. Finally, lightweight finishers Kyle Nelson and Matt Frevola collide.

UFC Vancouver Predictions and Staff Picks

MMASucka staff picks are composed of four of the world’s leading mixed martial arts organizations: the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Professional Fighters League (PFL), ONE Championship (ONE FC), and Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).

  • UFC picks will include main card fights ranging from four to six matchups per event.
  • PFL picks from main cards for pay-per-views and from tournament fights in the Regular Season, Playoffs, and Finals.
  • ONE FC and DWCS picks will feature all MMA fights from the event with a minimum of three matchups.

The individual who picks the most victorious fighters by the end of 2025 will have a choice between receiving a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBelts or a detailed chain from Championship Chains. Staff picks in 2023 were won by Ben Jamieson with a record of 300-148.

Find our UFC Vancouver picks and fight odds below. 

Staff records after DWCS 86: 

  1. Hank Strandberg: 180-102
  2. Frazer Krohn: 144-100

3.Drew Zuhosky: 142-138

  1. Jeremy Brand: 124-87
  2. Andrew Benjamin: 32-90

*Note – not all staff pick for every event*

 


Kyle Nelson -152

     Vs.

Matt Frevola +132

    LIGHTWEIGHT

 

Jeremy Brand: Frevola by Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg: Frevola by First Round Knockout  
Drew Zuhosky: Frevola by Unanimous Decision 
Frazer Krohn: Frevola by First Round Knockout   

 

Staff picking Nelson: 0

Staff picking Frevola: 4


Cody Gibson -200

Vs.

Aori Qileng +170

               BANTAMWEIGHT

 

Jeremy Brand: Aoriqileng by Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg: Gibson by Unanimous Decision                                                 
Drew Zuhosky: Gibson by Unanimous Decision      
Frazer Kron: Gibson by Third Round Knockout  

 

Staff picking Gibson: 3

Staff picking Qileng: 1


Manon Fiorot -142

Vs.

Jasmine Jasudavicius +122

   WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT 

 

Jeremy Brand: Jasudavicius by Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg: Fiorot by Unanimous Decision                                                           
Drew Zuhosky: Fiorot by Unanimous Decision   
Frazer Kron: Fiorot by Unanimous Decision                                                    

Staff picking Fiorot: 3

Staff picking Jasudavicius: 1


Aiemann Zahabi -600

     Vs.

Marlon Vera +450

    BANTAMWEIGHT

 

Jeremy Brand: Vera by Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg: Zahabi by Unanimous Decision     
Drew Zuhosky: Vera by First Round Knockout   
Frazer Krohn: Vera by Unanimous Decision   

 

Staff picking Zahabi: 1

Staff picking Vera: 3

           


Kevin Holland -325

     Vs.

Mike Malott +275

         WELTERWEIGHT

 

Jeremy Brand:  Malott by Third Round TKO
Hank Strandberg: Holland by Unanimous Decision 
Drew Zuhosky: Malott by Unanimous Decision   
Frazer Krohn: Holland by Unanimous Decision   

 

Staff picking Holland: 2

Staff picking Malott: 2


Reinier de Ridder -105

Vs.

Brendan Allen +115

             MIDDLEWEIGHT

 

Jeremy Brand: de Ridder by Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg: de Ridder by Second Round Submission   
Drew Zuhosky: de Ridder by Unanimous Decision                                                     
Frazer Kron: de Ridder by Unanimous Decision 

 

Staff picking de Ridder: 4

Staff picking Allen: 0

Hank Strandberg
Hank Strandberg
Hank has been a professional writer since 2022. He has covered MMA extensively as well as major eSports tournaments. He is a Hamline University graduate with a Bachelors in Fine Arts in Creative Writing and as a member of Phi Betta Kappa.

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