Brendan Allen Triumphs in Intense Bout Against Edmen Shahbazyan

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 06: Brendan Allen trades punches with Edmen Shahbazyan during their middleweight clash at UFC Fight Night held at Meta APEX on June 6, 2026. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) In a thrilling and bloody encounter, Brendan Allen faced Edmen Shahbazyan in a middleweight match at UFC Vegas 118, securing his third consecutive victory.

From the outset, Allen displayed an aggressive strategy, pushing forward and targeting Shahbazyan’s lead leg with kicks. He quickly began to unleash his right hand, although Shahbazyan managed to evade the strikes early on. The latter attempted to establish a jab but remained cautious at the beginning of the fight. As the round progressed, Allen began to connect with his punches, landing a few rights while Shahbazyan successfully defended against an initial takedown attempt.

Towards the end of the first round, Shahbazyan landed a counter right that caught Allen's attention, prompting him to increase his offensive output. Allen concluded the round with a flurry of strikes, gaining the upper hand in a closely contested opening period.

In the second round, Shahbazyan started strong with a solid jab, but Allen's timely right hands caught him off guard multiple times. While Allen attempted another takedown, he was unable to bring Shahbazyan to the mat. As the two fighters engaged in close-quarter exchanges, Allen’s diverse attacks began to outpace Shahbazyan’s jab, showcasing effective combinations that included knees and kicks.

The final round saw Allen maintain his momentum, landing significant strikes and keeping Shahbazyan pinned against the cage, which hindered his movement. Blood streamed from a cut on Shahbazyan's eye as he struggled to keep up with Allen’s relentless pressure and effective combinations. A late takedown further solidified Allen’s victory, which came by way of unanimous decision.

This match, initially seen as an unusual pairing, highlighted Allen's determination and adaptability throughout the fight. With this win, the question arises: Could a matchup against Dricus du Plessis be on the horizon?