Vancouver – UFC returns to Vancouver with a pivotal middleweight contenders’ tilt between No. 5 ranked Reinier De Ridder and No. 6 Anthony Hernandez. Former title challenger and No. 7 ranked bantamweight contender Marlon Vera collides with surging No. 10 Aiemann Zahabi. Also, a high-stakes flyweight contenders’ bout sees recent title challenger and No. 2 ranked Manon Fiorot battle Canadian No. 5 Jasmine Jasudavicius.
The event will be held in partnership with Destination Vancouver.
UFC FIGHT NIGHT: DE RIDDER vs. HERNANDEZ takes place at Rogers Arena on Saturday, October 18, with the main card live at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and TVA Sports. The prelims will start at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.
UFC FIGHT NIGHT: DE RIDDER vs. HERNANDEZ tickets will go on sale Friday, August 22 at 10 a.m. PT and are available for purchase at Ticketmaster.ca. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. UFC Fight Club members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets Wednesday, August 20 at 10 a.m. PT via UFCFightClub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, August 21 starting at 10 a.m. PT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.
De Ridder (21-2, fighting out of Breda, Netherlands) aims to stake his claim for a title shot by delivering another highlight-reel finish. A talented submission specialist, he has secured thrilling victories over Robert Whittaker, Bo Nickal and Gerald Meerschaert. De Ridder now looks to push his win streak to five bouts by dispatching Hernandez.
Hernandez (15-2 1NC, fighting out of Dunnigan, Calif., USA) plans to continue his momentum by netting his ninth consecutive victory. A relentless competitor, he has earned notable wins against Roman Dolidze, Brendan Allen and Roman Kopylov. Hernandez now hopes to crack the Top 5 by becoming the first fighter to finish De Ridder in the UFC.
Vera (23-10-1, fighting out of Chone, Manabi, Ecuador) hopes to deliver a vintage performance against another rising contender. Among the most exciting finishers at bantamweight, he holds spectacular stoppages over Dominick Cruz, Frankie Edgar and Sean O’Malley. Vera now intends to finish Zahabi and prove he is still among the best in the world.
Canadian standout Zahabi (13-2, fighting out of Montreal, Que.) plans to continue his ascent up the 135-pound division. Currently ron a six-fight win streak, he holds exciting victories over Jose Aldo, Pedro Munhoz and Javid Basharat. Zahabi now intends turn heads by finishing Vera and securing a crack at a Top 5 opportunity.
Recent title challenger Fiorot (12-2, fighting out of Nice, France) has her sight set on a show-stealing performance against a rising contender. A talented striker, she holds notable victories over Erin Blanchfield, Rose Namajunas and Katlyn Cerminara. Fiorot now plans to defend her spot in the rankings by halting Jasudavicius’ momentum.
Jasudavicius (14-3, fighting out of Niagara, Ont.) looks to continue her hot streak by taking out a Top 5 contender. Currently riding a five-fight win streak, she holds impressive finishes against Jessica Andrade, Ariane da Silva and Priscila Cachoeira. Jasudavicius now intends to insert her name into the title conversation by stopping Fiorot in emphatic fashion.
Additional bouts on the card include:
- Kevin Holland (28-14 1NC, fighting out of Fort Worth, Texas, USA) locks horns with Mike Malott (12-2-1, fighting out of Burlington, Ont.) in an exciting welterweight bout
- Azamat Bekoev (20-3, fighting out of Fairfield, N.J., USA by way of Nalchik, Russia) faces Yousri Belgaroui (8-3, fighting out of Amsterdam, the Netherlands) in a middleweight bout
- No. 14 ranked flyweight contender Bruno Silva (14-7-2 1NC, fighting out of Piracicaba, Sao Paulo, Brazil) squares off with HyunSung Park (10-1, fighting out of Gyeonggi-do, South Korea)
- Danny Barlow (9-1, fighting out of Memphis, Tenn., USA) meets Djorden Santos (10-2, fighting out of Brasília, DF, Brazil) at middleweight
- Stephanie Luciano (6-2-1, fighting out of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil) takes on Ravena Oliveira Morais (7-2-1, fighting out of Miguel Calmon, Bahia, Brazil) in strawweight bout
For the latest information on additional bouts for this event, please visit UFC.com. All bouts are live and subject to change.
