The UFC has officially announced a middleweight bout between Brendan Allen and Edmen Shahbazyan for June 7 at UFC Vegas 118. The matchup represents a significant contest in the 185-pound division. Both fighters will look to improve their positioning in the middleweight rankings with a victory. The post asks fans to predict the outcome of this matchup.
The UFC has made official a middleweight showdown between Brendan Allen and Edmen Shahbazyan, scheduled for June 7 at UFC Vegas 118.
Allen, nicknamed "All In," enters the bout ranked fifth in the middleweight division and riding what has been a productive stretch in his career. The 30-year-old American, who trains out of Kill Cliff FC, carries a 26-7 record into the contest. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, Allen is a well-rounded threat who lands 3.59 significant strikes per minute at a 53 percent accuracy rate while also generating 1.56 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes — a combination that makes him dangerous across all phases of a fight.
Shahbazyan, known as "The Golden Boy," represents a stiff challenge from the opposite corner. The 28-year-old Xtreme Couture product holds a 16-5 record and shares identical physical dimensions with Allen — six-foot-two and a 75-inch reach. Shahbazyan edges Allen in striking output at 3.8 significant strikes per minute, though his accuracy sits at 48 percent. He also contributes 1.62 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a credible grappling presence as well.
Why it matters
- Allen's fifth-place ranking means a win could push him closer to title contention at 185 pounds
- Shahbazyan needs a marquee victory to reassert himself in a crowded and competitive division
- Both men share near-identical physical profiles, putting the emphasis squarely on technique and fight IQ
- The all-around skill sets of both fighters set up a matchup that could be competitive in any range
