Anthony Hernandez has withdrawn from his scheduled fight against Reinier de Ridder at UFC Vancouver on October 18 due to injury, missing out on a chance to position himself as the next middleweight title challenger. Hernandez posted an apology on Instagram, expressing regret to the UFC, de Ridder, and fans, while also thanking Brendan Allen for stepping in to take his place.
“Right now, my focus is on getting healthy so I can come back stronger than ever. When I return, I’ll be ready to make a statement,” Hernandez wrote. De Ridder responded supportively, wishing him a speedy recovery.
Brendan Allen replaces Hernandez in the main event, while fans expressed disappointment at the reshuffle. De Ridder’s team had initially sought a different replacement under a three-round stipulation, which was reportedly declined, highlighting the challenges of arranging high-stakes fights on short notice.
