VANCOUVER – Reinier de Ridder won’t have Henri Hooft coaching him at UFC Fight Night 262.
De Ridder (21-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC) takes on fellow Kill Cliff FC teammate Brendan Allen (25-7 MMA, 13-4 UFC) in Saturday’s main event (ESPN+) at Rogers Arena. Hooft has refrained from getting involved due to his relationship with both fighters. Allen spent time at VFS Academy for this camp.
“He has a lot of experience,” De Ridder told MMA Junkie and other reporters of Allen at Wednesday’s media day. “I’ve seen all of his fights, of course, and I know a lot about him. I don’t really know him as a person. We’ve never really trained together.”
De Ridder didn’t have Hooft’s guidance, but he faced no issues with the rest of the team.
“I think everybody’s professional,” De Ridder said. “Everybody wanted to work with me, no issues. Only Henri stayed neutral and didn’t want to come and coach this time. The rest was all good.”
In terms of title implications for his fight, De Ridder is confident that a win will make him next in line.
“Yeah, (Nassourdine) Imavov’s not getting the shot, so that’s why I didn’t ask,” De Ridder said.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC Vancouver: Reiner de Ridder on lone challenge of fighting teammate
