Saturday’s fight card at Rogers Arena in Vancouver may be best remembered for its refereeing controversies, but there were plenty of notable victories that created a significant ripple effect in this week’s UFC rankings.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the biggest movers and shakers in the aftermath of UFC Fight Night 252.
Brendan Allen
When Brendan Allen stepped in on just three weeks’ notice to replace the injured Anthony Hernandez in Saturday’s main event, few believed he had much chance of defeating Reinier de Ridder.
With “RDR” coming off a phenomenal debut year in the Octagon, many assumed a win over Allen would be little more than a formality, and discussion had already shifted prematurely to whether a decisive victory might earn the Dutchman a shot at middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev.
Allen’s impressive performance now sees him break into the top five, climbing four spots to No. 5. De Ridder’s loss drops him four places to No. 8, while “Fluffy” Hernandez receives an unexpected boost, moving up one spot to No. 4.
Aiemann Zahabi
Aiemann Zahabi has been incrementally edging his way up the bantamweight rankings over the past year and that climb continued this week. The Canadian’s contentious decision win over former title challenger Marlon “Chito” Vera sees him rise two more places to no. 7, while Vera slides one spot to no. 8.
Mike Malott
The win may have been surrounded by controversy, but Mike Malott’s victory over Kevin Holland sees him crack the UFC welterweight rankings, stealing the no. 15 slot from the man he beat at Rogers Arena on Saturday.
Manon Fiorot
Returning to the Octagon for the first time since her title fight defat against Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 315 in May, Manon Fiorot halted the 5-fight winning streak of Jasmine Jasudavicius by finishing the Ontario native in just 74 seconds.
The win sees Fiorot regain the no. 1 contender spot, while Jasudavicius slides two places to seventh.
