Brendan Allen targets title shot, eyes Nassourdine Imavov as backup

Brendan Allen is making his championship ambitions clear, publicly calling for a UFC middleweight title shot while also laying out a contingency plan should that opportunity fall through.

Allen, ranked fifth in the middleweight division, carries a 26-7 record and has established himself as one of the more well-rounded threats in the 185-pound weight class. The 30-year-old American from Kill Cliff FC stands six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach and brings a balanced offensive game, landing 3.59 significant strikes per minute at 53 percent accuracy while also averaging 1.56 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes.

His preferred backup option is Nassourdine Imavov, the division's top-ranked contender. Imavov, also 30, represents a significant step up in divisional standing and carries a 17-4 record fighting out of MMA Factory in France. The six-foot-three French fighter known as "The Sniper" is an active striker, landing 4.28 significant strikes per minute at 54 percent accuracy, and brings his own submission threat averaging one attempt per 15 minutes. Allen warned that if Imavov continues to wait on the sidelines, he is prepared to pivot to a fight in October or November against the winner of the Usman–DDP matchup instead.

Why it matters

• Allen sits at number five in the rankings, while Imavov holds the number one spot, making this a potential title-eliminator with major divisional consequences
• A win over Imavov would give Allen a near-undeniable case for a championship fight
• Both fighters share identical reach and similar physical dimensions, but contrast sharply in striking volume and grappling approach, setting up a compelling style matchup
• Allen's willingness to name an alternative opponent keeps his momentum alive regardless of whether Imavov commits