A Fighter's Stand: Brendan Allen's Refusal to Train with Reinier de Ridder Unveiled
In a bold move, Brendan Allen made it clear that he had no interest in training alongside Reinier de Ridder, and his reasons go beyond the typical fighter rivalry.
As the main event of UFC Vancouver approached, de Ridder revealed that he had approached Allen about training together at Kill Cliff FC in Florida. Allen's refusal sparked a deeper issue, one that wasn't solely about de Ridder but about a lack of respect shown by the coaches and trainers at the gym.
"I was asked about every middleweight who wanted to train at our gym," Allen explained to MMA Fighting. "They'd ask, 'Hey, are you cool with it?' Like with [Nassourdine] Imavov, they asked before we were even supposed to fight. I said sure, it'd be great to have a new training partner. But after the fight, when he stayed at the gym, they didn't even bother to ask me if it was okay. The team didn't show me any respect."
Allen's frustration was directed at the team's lack of consideration, not specifically at de Ridder. He felt that as a top dog at the gym, he deserved better treatment.
"I already had close relationships with many 185-pound fighters in the UFC," he added. "I didn't need or want another friend in the division."
Allen made it clear that he values loyalty and friendship, especially in the competitive world of MMA. He stated, "I have enough friends in this division. I won't fight someone unless they call me out. If they do, I'll fight anyone for gold. So, I'm not your friend, and I don't want to be. I won't disrespect you, but I won't help you either."
The situation left a sour taste in Allen's mouth, and he felt that Kill Cliff FC handled it poorly. He believed that certain people would do what benefits them in the long run, and he tried to keep it strictly business.
"Some people said he moved his whole family down here. Well, that's not my problem. I was one of the top dogs at that gym, and they made a business move. I can't control that."
The arrival of de Ridder changed the dynamics within the gym, and Allen eventually chose to leave and train with former UFC champion Belal Muhammad in Chicago.
While there isn't bad blood between Allen and de Ridder, Allen's loyalty to his friends played a significant role in his decision. He confessed that he needed a fresh start, and working with Muhammad's team provided that opportunity.
"I'm loyal to my friends, especially the close ones. Aung La [N Sang] fought de Ridder twice and lost. At the time, he was my good friend. We spent time together, and I knew his family. When de Ridder beat him, I knew I had to step up. He also beat my friend Gerald [Meerschaert] in a close fight. I felt I had to show him what I'm capable of."
Allen's honesty and directness are part of his personality. He believes in speaking his mind, regardless of whether others agree or disagree.
As the main event approached, Allen was more than ready to step into the spotlight after Anthony "Fluffy" Hernandez's injury. He had been eyeing a fight with de Ridder for some time, and now he had the chance to prove his worth.
"He's not impressive. There's nothing about him that makes you think, 'Wow, he's talented.' I don't see any exceptional skills or that 'it' factor."
And so, the stage is set for a highly anticipated showdown between two fighters with differing perspectives and a history of unspoken tensions.
