The UFC has officially announced a middleweight bout between Brendan Allen and Edmen Shahbazyan for UFC Vegas 118 on June 7, 2026. Allen, a top-15 ranked middleweight, will face Shahbazyan in what should be a significant matchup in the 185-pound division. Both fighters are looking to climb the rankings and position themselves for bigger opportunities. The fight will take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. No other details about the card or main event have been provided in this announcement.
The UFC has made official a middleweight showdown between Brendan Allen and Edmen Shahbazyan, set to take place at UFC Vegas 118 on June 7, 2026, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Allen, nicknamed "All In," enters the bout as the fifth-ranked middleweight in the world, bringing a record of 26-7-0 into the cage. The 30-year-old American, who trains out of Kill Cliff FC, stands six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach and has built a reputation as a well-rounded threat. He lands 3.59 significant strikes per minute at a 53 percent accuracy rate, while also generating consistent pressure on the mat with 1.56 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
Shahbazyan, known as "The Golden Boy," comes in at 16-5-0 and trains alongside Allen in the same Orthodox stance at Xtreme Couture. The 28-year-old also stands six-foot-two with a matching 75-inch reach, and he actually edges Allen in striking output, landing 3.8 significant strikes per minute, though at a slightly lower 48 percent accuracy. He adds 1.62 takedowns per 15 minutes to his game, giving him a well-rounded profile as well.
Why it matters
- Allen holds a top-five ranking, meaning a loss would be costly and a dominant win could push him toward title contention
- Shahbazyan needs a marquee victory to firmly re-establish himself in the division's upper tier
- The near-identical physical profiles — same height, reach, and stance — make this a close stylistic mirror match decided by execution rather than physical advantages
- The 185-pound division remains competitive, and a decisive finish here could vault either man into a ranked top-five collision
