The UFC has officially announced a middleweight bout between Brendan Allen and Edmen Shahbazyan for June 7 at UFC Vegas 118. Allen has been on an impressive run in the middleweight division and continues to climb the rankings with consistent performances. Shahbazyan, a former highly-touted prospect, looks to rebuild his momentum after some setbacks in recent years. The matchup represents an important fight for both competitors as they seek to position themselves for bigger opportunities in the division. New sparring footage between Allen and Khamzat Chimaev has also recently surfaced online.
The UFC has made official a middleweight clash between Brendan Allen and Edmen Shahbazyan, scheduled for June 7 at UFC Vegas 118.
Allen, known by the nickname "All In," enters the bout riding the momentum of a strong run in the 185-pound division. The 30-year-old American holds a professional record of 26-7-0 and is currently ranked fifth in the middleweight standings, training out of Kill Cliff FC. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, Allen blends volume striking with a persistent submission threat, averaging 3.59 significant strikes per minute at 53 percent accuracy while also posting 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes. He also adds a takedown dimension to his game, averaging 1.56 takedowns per 15 minutes. Recent sparring footage alongside Khamzat Chimaev has also surfaced online, underlining his willingness to test himself in high-level training environments.
Shahbazyan, tagged "The Golden Boy" early in his career, comes in looking to recapture the form that once made him one of the division's most talked-about prospects. The 28-year-old Xtreme Couture product owns a 16-5-0 record and shares Allen's identical frame — six-foot-two, 75-inch reach, orthodox stance. Shahbazyan carries a slight edge in striking volume at 3.8 significant strikes per minute, though his accuracy sits at 48 percent. He also averages 1.62 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a threat in the grappling exchanges.
Why it matters
- Allen's fifth-ranked status means a strong finish could push him firmly into title-contender conversation at middleweight.
- Shahbazyan needs a decisive win to re-establish himself after a difficult stretch and prove his early promise was not overblown.
- Both fighters share near-identical physical profiles and Orthodox stances, putting the stylistic edge firmly on execution and game-planning rather than physical mismatches.
