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Brendan Allen Beats Edmen Shahbazyan, Presses for Strickland Rematch

The victory strengthens his title case by creating a clear demand for a rematch with champion Sean Strickland.

Overview

  • Allen won a bloody, three-round co-main at UFC Vegas 118 by unanimous decision, with judges scoring the fight 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28, and earned Fight of the Night honors.
  • The win extended Allen’s streak to three and kept him inside the UFC middleweight top five, preserving his position in the division’s contender mix.
  • In his post-fight remarks Allen immediately called for a rematch with Sean Strickland and said he will talk with UFC executive Hunter Campbell about next steps.
  • Allen also said he would accept a fight with Nassourdine Imavov or the winner of a rumored Dricus du Plessis vs. Kamaru Usman bout if a Strickland rematch does not materialize.
  • The victory moved Allen closer to the UFC middleweight all-time wins leaders by tying fighters such as Anderson Silva at 14 wins at 185 pounds, which adds urgency to matchmaking decisions about his next opponent.