A key middleweight matchup is set to headline the UFC’s trip to Vancouver.
Reinier de Ridder will face Anthony Hernandez in what will be an opportunity to make a statement to earn a shot at the newly crowned champion, Khamzat Chimaev. UFC Fight Night 262 takes place at Rogers Arena on Oct. 18. The promotion officially announced the matchup Tuesday.
De Ridder (21-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC) has quickly climbed the ladder in the middleweight division, winning his first three fights by stoppage, and picking up a split decision nod over former champ Robert Whittaker in his last outing. The main event result against Whittaker extended his winning streak to five.
Hernandez (15-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) is coming off an impressive outing in a main event against Roman Dolidze earlier this month to extend his current winning streak to eight. The fourth-round Performance of the Night submission put “Fluffy” in the mix at the top of the division, which has suddenly become packed with title challengers.
In addition to the De Ridder vs. Hernandez main event announcement, the UFC added a fun welterweight bout between Kevin Holland (28-14 MMA, 15-11 UFC) and Canada’s Mike Malott (12-2-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC), who will get the opportunity to fight on home soil again.
With the addition, the current UFC Fight Night 262 lineup includes:
- Reinier de Ridder vs. Anthony Hernandez
- Marlon Vera vs. Aiemann Zahabi
- Kevin Holland vs. Mike Malott
- Manon Fiorot vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius
- HyunSung Park vs. Bruno Silva
- Danny Barlow vs. Djorden Santos
- Stephanie Luciano vs. Ravena Oliveira
- Azamat Bekoev vs. Yousri Belgaroui
