The UFC has officially confirmed a middleweight matchup between Brendan Allen and Edmen Shahbazyan for June 7 at UFC Vegas 118. The announcement represents a significant booking in the middleweight division as both fighters look to climb the rankings. Allen has been on an impressive run in the division, while Shahbazyan seeks to reestablish himself as a contender. The post includes a poll asking fans to predict the winner. Further details about the bout or its placement on the card were not disclosed.
The UFC has officially confirmed a middleweight bout between Brendan Allen and Edmen Shahbazyan, set to take place on June 7 at UFC Vegas 118.
Allen, known as "All In," enters the fight ranked fifth in the middleweight division and carrying a 26-7 record. The 30-year-old American, who trains out of Kill Cliff FC, stands six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach and has built a reputation as one of the division's more complete fighters. He lands 3.59 significant strikes per minute at a 53 percent accuracy rate, and his grappling adds a constant threat, averaging 1.56 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
Shahbazyan, nicknamed "The Golden Boy," comes in at 16-5 and is looking to reassert himself among the division's elite. The 28-year-old, also from the United States and training at Xtreme Couture, is physically identical to Allen — six-foot-two, 75-inch reach — and matches up closely in output as well, posting 3.8 significant strikes per minute, though at a slightly lower 48 percent accuracy. He averages 1.62 takedowns per 15 minutes, showing a willingness to mix in grappling alongside his striking.
Why it matters
- Allen's number-five ranking means a strong win could push him closer to title contention in a loaded 185-pound division
- Shahbazyan needs a marquee victory to climb back into the top-ten conversation after a mixed run of results
- The near-identical physical profiles and overlapping styles — both orthodox strikers with active takedown games — set up a technically compelling matchup
- Neither fighter holds a significant reach or size advantage, making ring generalship and pace likely deciding factors
