The UFC was back at the Apex on Saturday for UFC Vegas 122. In the main event, middleweight contenders threw down as Brendan Allen took on Christian Leroy Duncan.
Allen entered the fight on a three-fight winning streak and was coming off a win over Edmen Shahbazyan. Duncan, meanwhile, was on a five-fight winning streak and was set for his first UFC main event.
Ultimately, it was Allen who won by fifth-round submission to extend his winning streak to four and prove he’s a title contender.
Brendan Allen
Brendan Allen was fighting down in the rankings again at UFC Vegas 122. He had some good moments in the fight, as he was able to control Duncan on the mat en route to a fifth-round submission win. The victory cemented Allen as a legit title contender at middleweight.
With the win, Allen should get the chance to fight ahead of him in the rankings. With Nassourdine Imavov likely fighting for the belt next, a fight against Dricus Du Plessis has to happen. It can serve as a No. 1 contender fight with the winner getting a title shot, and it is a fight that has been in the making for a long time. It can headline a Fight Night card in early 2027, or be a co-main event on a numbered event.
Christian Leroy Duncan
Christian Leroy Duncan got his chance to fight up in the rankings and he fell short. Duncan did fight well; had he won the fifth round, he would’ve fought to a draw due to a point deduction he got in the second round. Although he lost, Duncan showed he is a top contender at middleweight.
Duncan should get back in there fairly soon and look to get back on track. A logical next fight is to face Abus Magomedov. Both are top-15 middleweights who are on the outside of the top-10. The winner will get a top-10 opponent, while the loser will become a gatekeeper at middleweight.
What do you think should be next for Brendan Allen and Christian Leroy Duncan?
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
