The UFC has officially announced a middleweight bout between Brendan Allen and Edmen Shahbazyan for June 7 at UFC Vegas 118. The matchup pits two established middleweights against each other in what appears to be a significant divisional contest. The announcement was made with a poll asking fans to predict the winner. No additional details about card placement or other fights were provided. Both fighters are looking to advance their positions in the middleweight rankings.
The UFC has made a middleweight matchup between Brendan Allen and Edmen Shahbazyan official, with the two Americans set to collide on June 7 at UFC Vegas 118.
Allen enters the fight ranked fifth in the middleweight division and carries one of the more well-rounded profiles in the 185-pound class. The 30-year-old Kill Cliff FC product holds a 26-7 record and lands 3.59 significant strikes per minute at a sharp 53 percent accuracy. He also contributes consistently on the ground, averaging 1.56 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making him a threat across all areas of the fight.
Shahbazyan, 28, trains out of Xtreme Couture and brings a 16-5 record into the contest. Known as "The Golden Boy," the Armenian-American fighter stands six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach — identical measurements to Allen — and puts up an active striking output of 3.8 significant strikes per minute, though his accuracy sits at 48 percent. He is also capable on the ground, averaging 1.62 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Allen sits fifth in the middleweight rankings, meaning a strong finish could push him closer to title contention.
- Shahbazyan needs a marquee win to reassert himself as a divisional threat after a mixed run of results.
- Both men share the same height, reach, and orthodox stance, making positioning and timing the likely differentiators.
- The blend of striking output and grappling activity from both fighters sets up a technically demanding contest at 185 pounds.
