Brendan Allen halted Christian Leroy Duncan’s aspirations for a middleweight championship bout with a fifth-round submission victory at a UFC event in Las Vegas on Saturday.
Duncan, 31, entered the contest riding a five-fight winning streak and had publicly stated that a convincing win over Allen would likely earn him a title shot next. However, the American counterpunched effectively in the grappling exchanges to secure a rear-naked choke, spoiling the British fighter’s plans.
The bout was a competitive, back-and-forth affair heading into the final round. Duncan, ranked 10th in the middleweight division following his July victory over former title challenger Jared Cannonier, was the more active striker, landing 138 significant shots compared to Allen’s 80. Despite that volume, Allen controlled the clinch and ground fighting.
An eye poke in the second round resulted in a point deduction for Duncan, creating additional pressure for the Briton to find a finish before the final round ended. However, the penalty did not ultimately alter the outcome, as Allen secured his eighth submission win in the UFC.
The victory extends Allen’s winning streak to four fights and moves the fifth-ranked middleweight to a professional record of 28 wins and seven defeats. Duncan suffers only the third loss of his 18-fight career.
Following the win, Allen made it clear he is targeting the champion. “I think we’ll be rewarded next,” Allen said. “I’m doing what I need to do. Where’s the champion? If not, where’s Dricus [Du Plessis]? He’s been running for a while.”
In the co-main event, fellow Briton Jai Herbert secured a unanimous decision victory over Brazilian lightweight Matheus Camilo. The win marks Herbert’s third victory in his last four UFC appearances, while Camilo dropped to a 1-2 record in the promotion.
Classic Allen. Always seems to have the exact right answer for the grapple. Dricus better start running faster if he wants to keep that belt safe.
The striking stats are wild though. Duncan landed way more shots but still lost. Shows just how vital grappling control is at this level.
What a brutal ending for Duncan’s title dream. He was on a five-fight win streak and looked poised to get his moment. Rough break all around.
I didn’t realize Duncan had an eye poke point deduction. That must have been incredibly frustrating for him to carry that pressure into the fifth round.
Allen is clearly the most accomplished guy in that division. He’s begging for a title shot, but I wonder if the UFC will actually listen this time.