Magomed-Rasul Gasanov will be the next challenger for the All-Stars grappling title held by Brendan Allen. The two faced off in a staredown, with the match expected to take place on August 23 in Istanbul.
Reports out of the All-Stars grappling promotion suggest that Brendan Allen will defend his title against Magomed-Rasul Gasanov on August 23 in Istanbul, though the matchup has not yet been officially confirmed.
Allen, known as "All In," enters the bout as the reigning All-Stars grappling champion and one of the more recognizable names in submission-oriented combat sports. The 30-year-old American competes at middleweight in the UFC, where he holds a professional record of 26-7-0 and is currently ranked fifth in the division. Fighting out of Kill Cliff FC, the six-foot-two orthodox fighter carries a 75-inch reach and brings an active, well-rounded grappling game to the table. In MMA competition he averages 3.59 significant strikes landed per minute at 53 percent accuracy, while also threatening with 1.56 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes — numbers that reflect the pressure-based, finishing-oriented style he would likely bring to a pure grappling context.
Gasanov's competitive record and ranking information were not available in verified data at the time of this report, though the staredown between the two competitors suggests the matchup is at least in advanced stages of discussion.
Why it matters
- Allen's UFC middleweight ranking makes this a high-profile crossover grappling event
- Istanbul would mark an international stage for the All-Stars promotion
- A submission specialist of Allen's caliber defending a grappling title raises the event's competitive credibility
- Because the bout remains unconfirmed, fans should watch for an official announcement before treating it as finalized
