The UFC has officially announced a middleweight bout between Brendan Allen and Edmen Shahbazyan as the main event for UFC Vegas 118 on June 7. The matchup pits two ranked middleweights against each other in what is expected to be a significant bout in the division. Both fighters are looking to climb the rankings with a victory. The announcement provides clarity on the headliner for the June Las Vegas card.
The UFC has officially confirmed a middleweight main event for UFC Vegas 118 on June 7, with Brendan Allen set to face Edmen Shahbazyan in Las Vegas.
Allen, nicknamed "All In," enters the fight ranked fifth in the middleweight division with a record of 26-7. The 30-year-old American, who trains out of Kill Cliff FC, brings a well-rounded game to the octagon. He lands 3.59 significant strikes per minute at a 53 percent accuracy rate, while also generating consistent grappling pressure with 1.56 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, Allen has established himself as one of the more complete fighters in the 185-pound weight class.
Shahbazyan, known as "The Golden Boy," carries a 16-5 record into the contest. The 28-year-old trains at Xtreme Couture and shares an identical frame with Allen — six-foot-two and a 75-inch reach. Shahbazyan is slightly busier on the feet, posting 3.8 significant strikes per minute, though his accuracy sits at 48 percent. He also contributes on the wrestling side, averaging 1.62 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Allen's top-five ranking means a win could push the winner firmly into title contention at 185 pounds
- Both fighters share nearly identical physical dimensions, removing any size or reach advantage from the equation
- The contrasting grappling profiles — Allen's submission volume versus Shahbazyan's takedown rate — sets up an intriguing ground battle if the fight goes to the floor
- A main event slot on a Vegas card gives the winner maximum visibility heading into the second half of 2026
