The UFC has officially announced a middleweight bout between Brendan Allen and Edmen Shahbazyan for June 7 at UFC Vegas 118. This represents a significant matchup in the middleweight division. The announcement confirms the matchmaking between these two contenders. Fans are now speculating on the outcome of this confrontation.
The UFC has made official a middleweight clash between Brendan Allen and Edmen Shahbazyan, scheduled for June 7 at UFC Vegas 118.
Allen enters the bout as one of the more well-rounded fighters in the 185-pound division. Ranked fifth at middleweight, the 30-year-old from the United States carries a 26-7-0 record and trains out of Kill Cliff FC. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, Allen lands 3.59 significant strikes per minute at a 53 percent accuracy rate, while also posing a consistent grappling threat with 1.56 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
Shahbazyan, known as "The Golden Boy," brings a 16-5-0 record into the contest. The 28-year-old American trains at Xtreme Couture and is physically identical to Allen — six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach and an orthodox stance. He generates slightly higher striking volume at 3.8 significant strikes per minute, though his accuracy sits at 48 percent. Shahbazyan adds a takedown threat of his own at 1.62 per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Allen holds the fifth-ranked position at middleweight, meaning a strong performance could push either fighter further into title contention
- The two fighters are mirror images physically, which places the stylistic edge squarely on execution rather than size or reach advantages
- Both men present striking and grappling threats, setting up a genuinely multi-dimensional contest at 185 pounds
