Home of Fight Expert Picks: UFC Vancouver
UFC returns to Vancouver, BC, Canada this Saturday with a middleweight headliner between Reinier de Ridder and Brendan Allen, promising high-stakes action from Rogers Arena. De Ridder, a former two-division ONE Champion, is undefeated in his first four UFC appearances, most recently showcasing knockout power against Bo Nickal and edging ex-champion Robert Whittaker. Allen, stepping in after Anthony Hernandez’s withdrawal, rides momentum from a gritty “Fight of the Night” win over Marvin Vettori and boasts relentless wrestling and submission skills.
The co-main event features fan favorite Kevin Holland against Canadian welterweight standout Mike Malott, with fireworks expected as both men pursue statement finishes. Also on the main card, Marlon “Chito” Vera collides with Aiemann Zahabi in a bantamweight clash pivotal for divisional rankings, while rising Canadian prospect Melissa Croden debuts against Tainara Lisboa in an early showcase.
Typhoon grappler Azamat Bekoev welcomes newcomer Yousri Belgaroui, and main card depth rounds out with Cody Gibson vs. Aoriqileng and Matt Frevola vs. Kyle Nelson, both matchups poised for action-packed exchanges.
From prospects to established contenders, UFC Vancouver delivers a blend of elite grappling, explosive strikers, and storyline-rich fights, guaranteeing an electric night for MMA fans in Canada and worldwide.
With a great fight card on tap, money can be made at the sportsbook this Saturday night. Home of Fight is here to help put money in your pockets and cash out at the window this Saturday night. Let’s take a look at the Home of Fight expert picks for UFC Vancouver.
Reinier de Ridder vs. Brendan Allen
- HayJive – Reinier de Ridder
“De Ridder seems like a bad stylistic matchup for Allen, and he’s taking it on short notice. Allen is always willing to grapple and that’s not what you want to do with De Ridder.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Reinier de Ridder
“I think stylistically RDR will wear on Allen over the first 3 rounds, and inflict damage late. Possibly finishing Allen in the later rounds.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Reinier de Ridder
“Brendan Allen is elite on the ground, though the same can be said about Reinier de Ridder, who will surely take advantage of any possible mistakes from Allen.”
- Corrie – Reinier de Ridder
“Both guys bring real danger here but I’m not stepping in front of RDR quite yet.. He’s bigger, stronger, and a little harder for opponents to figure out, with a smothering top game that should drown Allen over time. RDR’s size, control, and experience against high-level grapplers give him the edge in a grindy fight that likely favors him on the cards or by late finish.”
- The Fight Analyst – Reinier de Ridder
“While Brendan Allen is an elite grappler in his own right, he’s still susceptible to being taken down and is not as dominant off his back. RDR will land takedowns, wear Allen down, and eventually finding the submission to remain unbeaten in his UFC career and one step closer to a MW title shot.”
Kevin Holland vs. Mike Malott
- HayJive – Mike Malott
“I’m gonna take the guy that takes his career more seriously, but I wouldn’t be shocked if Holland pulls this one off. Holland will be the bigger guy, and Malott can be hurt and can slow down as the fight goes on.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Mike Malott
“I don’t really trust either guy, but at this point I trust Mallot a little bit more.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Kevin Holland
“Kevin Holland’s reach is going to play a huge factor here. While Malott may be a bit more technical, I do believe that Holland will be able to find his shots.”
- Corrie – Mike Malott
“Malott is definitely the more disciplined, well-rounded guy and he actually uses his tools with intention instead of just willy nilly like Holland who just lost to D-Rod by negative fight IQ, but I don’t think Holland should be coming back this early and while Kev’s talent is undeniable, his fight IQ and durability have been slipping, and Malott’s pressure and wrestling could expose that fast but neither of these guys are very reliable so this is very VERY cautious take.”
- The Fight Analyst – Mike Malott
“Kevin Holland is always dangerous when he actually wants to fight, but Mike Malott fights smarter than most of who Holland has beaten. Malott knows he’s got a clear advantage in the grappling and should be able to takedown Holland with relative ease. He will utilize his grappling to nullify Holland’s striking to win minutes in this fight to get the biggest win of his career in his home country.”
Marlon Vera vs. Aiemann Zahabi
- HayJive – Aiemann Zahabi
“Zahabi knows how to win minutes in fights with good striking defense and intelligent offense. Chito is the exact opposite, he’s a moment winner but I don’t see him getting enough moments to get the W here.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Marlon Vera
“Zahabi is good, but Vera should be the slight favorite in my opinion. Zahabi’s wins come over guys who aren’t in the UFC anymore or are past their prime.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Marlon Vera
“Vera is being overlooked here. Zahabi has been winning, but he’s not the young prospect many believe he is, while at the same time, Vera has the finishing ability if he strings his strikes together.”
- Corrie – Aiemann Zahabi
“I’m rocking with old man Zahabi in Canada once again.. He’s on quiet tear, fighting smarter, cleaner, and sharper every time out, so it shows that Tri-Star has, in fact, helped him find such success late in his career and while Chito’s tough and probably the higher level of competition, he’s been inactive, and has taken a lot of damage which Zahabi hasn’t, but I think Zahabi’s lower damage style make him the value side, especially with that hometown edge.”
- The Fight Analyst – Marlon Vera
“I believe the time off for Marlon Vera is going to suit him well going into this matchup with his back against the wall. Aiemann Zahabi doesn’t fight at an exceptionally hard pace and is quite hittable as we’ve seen against Jose Aldo. If Vera has fixed some things during his absence from the octagon and actually starts fast, we can see Vera one landing the more damaging shots to take over down the stretch and get back into the win column.”
Manon Fiorot vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius
- HayJive – Manon Fiorot
“Fiorot looks like a bad matchup for Jasmine who’s been fighting a lot of girls recently who are at a significant grappling disadvantage to her. Fiorot should be able to stuff takedowns and win minutes on the feet with superior striking.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Manon Fiorot
“I think Manon’s takedown defense is good enough to keep it standing where she will have the advantage.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Manon Fiorot
“Fiorot has only lost to Valentina inside the UFC and she’s strong, physical and dominant. Jasudaivicous is underrated, so her win wouldn’t be the most surprising, though I do believe in Fiorot countering the wrestling well.”
- Corrie – Manon Fiorot
“Manon’s striking is on another level, and that 87% takedown defense should shut down most of Jasmine’s wrestling entries. If she keeps this fight at range, her precision, volume, and movement will make it a long night for Jasmine and remind everyone why she’s still a top contender at flyweight, only losing in the last nearly 7 years to Shevchenko by dec for the belt last time she was in Canada.”
- The Fight Analyst – Manon Fiorot
“Manon Fiorot’s only loss in the UFC is to the current champion Valentina Shevchenko. Fiorot is one of the best strikers in the entire flyweight division next to Shevchenko and will possess a massive advantage on the feet. As long as she can utilize her footwork to keep her back off the cage and utilize her great takedown defense to keep this fight standing, she should be able to outstrike Jasmine Jasudavicius with relative ease this weekend at UFC Vancouver.”
Cody Gibson vs. Aoriqileng
- HayJive – Aoriqileng
“This seems like a 50/50 fight to me, and the 38 year old is the betting favorite. I can’t agree with that, if AQ can keep this fight on the feet I think he’s live.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Aoriqileng
“Gibson is a good wrestler but takes damage and slows down. I expect Aori to be the guy getting better between fights, and at this price I’ll take the shot.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Aoriqileng
“Simply put, Aorqileng is the more skilled fighter with more tools in his arsenal.”
- Corrie – Cody Gibson
“I just don’t trust Aoriqileng’s record or consistency. Gibson’s tougher, smarter, and has the wrestling and gas tank to drag this fight deep and grind out a clear decision.”
- The Fight Analyst – Cody Gibson
“This is a bottom of the barrel type bantamweight matchup between Gibson and Aoriqileng. However, Gibson has a sizable advantage in the grappling where he can land takedowns and control the smaller Aoriqileng at will. As long as he doesn’t get knocked out in the process, his control and submission grappling is good enough to get the win this weekend over Aoriqileng.”
Kyle Nelson vs. Matt Frevola
- HayJive – Kyle Nelson
“This is a toss up fight, but I’m gonna take the Canadian here. Nelson is the more consistent fighter in my opinion, but Frevola on a good night could look good.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Matt Frevola
“Kyle Nelson is moving up in weight against a brute in Frevola. Don’t let Frevola’s last fight fool you, he’s still as dangerous as they come.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Matt Frevola
“Nelson is an underrated fighter, though in my opinion, so is Matt Frevolla. This will be a war for as long as it lasts.”
- Corrie – Kyle Nelson
“ The hometown guy has been looking sharper every fight, and Frevola’s chin just hasn’t been holding up lately plus I feel iffy taking him after blanket long term low-activity and the recent year long complete layoff. Nelson’s power and pressure could easily make this another rough night for Frevola, especially with the crowd behind him and momentum on his side.”
- The Fight Analyst – Matt Frevola
“This should be a fun fight for however long it lasts. Both fighters come to throw down but Frevola has the bigger punching power and as long as he can land the bigger shot first he should send Nelson to shadow realm in front of his home crowd.”
🔍 Want to know more about each event? Visit homeoffight.com or any of our social media accounts for more articles, fighter interviews, and plenty of more coverage.
💰 Want to get in on the action? Visit homeoffight.com/picks to tail all of the Home of Fight expert’s picks & bets each week!
🥊 Content & coverage brought to you by LEGENDZ! Play online Social Casino & LIVE Sports Gambling!
