Brendan Allen beats Shahbazyan, eyes Strickland title

UFC middleweight contender Brendan Allen has reinforced his position among the division's elite and laid out his ambitions for a title shot following a decisive unanimous decision victory over Edmen Shahbazyan at UFC Vegas 118 on Saturday, June 6. The win extends Allen's current winning streak to three fights and solidifies his standing in the top five of the division's rankings.

In a post-fight press conference, Allen was unequivocal about his next target: a rematch with reigning champion Sean Strickland. The two fighters previously met in 2020, with Strickland securing the victory. Allen expressed confidence that the outcome would be different now, stating he hopes the champion selects him for his next defense. He also claimed the UFC is arranging a fight between former champion Dricus Du Plessis and former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, a bout officials have not yet confirmed.

Usman has previously stated he accepted an offer to fight Du Plessis, indicating a desire for a meaningful matchup that could lead to a title opportunity. Allen suggested he would be willing to face the winner of that potential fight in October or November, or alternatively fight fellow contender...