The UFC has officially confirmed a middleweight bout between Brendan Allen and Edmen Shahbazyan for June 7 at UFC Vegas 118. The matchup pits two ranked middleweights against each other in what should be a significant divisional contest. The announcement includes a poll asking fans to predict the outcome. This fight could have important ranking implications for both competitors. No other details about the card were provided.
The UFC has officially confirmed a middleweight clash between Brendan Allen and Edmen Shahbazyan, set to take place June 7 at UFC Vegas 118.
Allen, known as "All In," enters the bout ranked fifth in the middleweight division and riding what his record suggests is a career high-water mark. The 30-year-old American from Kill Cliff FC carries a 26-7-0 record into the contest. Fighting out of an orthodox stance at six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, Allen is a multi-dimensional threat — landing 3.59 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 53 percent accuracy while also generating 1.56 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making him one of the more complete fighters in the division.
Shahbazyan, nicknamed "The Golden Boy," trains out of Xtreme Couture and holds a 16-5-0 record. The 28-year-old is an identical physical match for Allen — also six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach and fighting orthodox. Shahbazyan edges Allen slightly in striking volume at 3.8 significant strikes per minute, though his accuracy sits at 48 percent. He is a less frequent submission threat, averaging 0.4 attempts per 15 minutes, but his takedown rate of 1.62 per 15 minutes shows he is capable on the ground as well.
Why it matters
- Allen's top-five ranking means a win for either man carries direct divisional weight
- Identical size and reach make this a true stylistic mirror match on the feet
- Both fighters blend grappling with striking, raising the likelihood of a dynamic, multi-faceted contest
- A victory could push either man into contention for a higher-ranked opponent or a potential title eliminator
