The UFC has officially announced a middleweight bout between Brendan Allen and Edmen Shahbazyan for June 7 at UFC Vegas 118. The matchup pairs two established middleweights looking to climb the divisional rankings. No additional details about their placement on the card were provided in the announcement. Fans are being polled on who they expect to win the contest.
The UFC has made official a middleweight clash between Brendan Allen and Edmen Shahbazyan, scheduled for June 7 at UFC Vegas 118. The promotion confirmed the booking without specifying where the fight will appear on the card.
Allen, nicknamed "All In," enters the bout ranked fifth in the middleweight division and carrying a 26-7-0 record. The 30-year-old American trains out of Kill Cliff FC and brings a well-rounded threat to every fight. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, he 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 in all phases.
Shahbazyan, known as "The Golden Boy," holds a 16-5-0 record and is 28 years old. The Xtreme Couture product is identical to Allen in height and reach, both standing six-foot-two with 75-inch reaches, setting up a closely matched physical contest. Shahbazyan produces 3.8 significant strikes per minute, though his striking accuracy sits at 48 percent. He also averages 1.62 takedowns per 15 minutes, edging Allen in that category.
Why it matters
- Allen's fifth-place ranking means a win for either man carries real divisional weight
- Both fighters share nearly identical physical dimensions, putting the stylistic edge at a premium
- Each man averages strong striking volume and a meaningful takedown rate, suggesting a competitive, multi-faceted matchup
- A victory could push the winner firmly into title-contention conversation in a loaded middleweight division
