Brendan Allen Draws the Line After UFC Vegas 122 Win, Demands Dricus Du Plessis Fight

A spectacular finish has done little to ease his frustration, especially after the UFC middleweight contender once again had to defend his place in the rankings against a rising prospect rather than take a step toward the title. On Saturday in the main event of UFC Vegas 122, the 30-year-old defeated Christian Leroy Duncan, submitting the Brit with a rear-naked choke in the fifth round. 

While the win extended his winning streak to four, in turn reinforcing his standing as the No. 4-ranked middleweight, “All In” has made it clear that he does not want another matchup that does little to move him closer to a title shot. Instead, he wants DDP! 

Brendan Allen Accuses Dricus Du Plessis of Taking the Easier Fight

For the unversed, Allen’s frustration is rooted in more than a single callout. In fact, he has spent months pursuing a matchup with the South African, and the two have history, including a fight that Allen says they were previously supposed to have. 

This opportunity never materialized. In the meantime, the Beaufort, SC native continued to build his resume. In the process, he handed Reinier de Ridder his first UFC loss, broke Edmen Shahbazyan’s winning streak, and became the first fighter to stop Duncan very recently. 

With four consecutive victories and a top-four ranking, Allen (28-7-0) believes he has done enough to earn a more meaningful test against the former middleweight king, Du Plessis.

Speaking to the press post his UFC Vegas 122 bout, he lambasted the former champion, saying, “Yeah, if he drops his n**s. It’s all talk from his side all the time. I’ve been waiting to sign the contract.”

Brendan Allen on Challenge to DDP 

Allen also rejected the suggestion that he was calling out Du Plessis simply to get attention. In his view, the matchup makes sense because of their previous history and their positions in the division. He is willing to explore other options if the fight does not happen, but he does not intend to keep asking for it - “I’m not going to chase that motherf**ker. If he wants to fight, fight. If not, we’ll figure something else out.”

Interestingly enough, the criticism goes beyond the stalled negotiations. Allen believes DDP chose a less dangerous opponent when he faced former longtime welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC Oklahoma City in July.

Although the American acknowledged Usman’s accomplishments, he argued that the latter’s past achievements didn't tell the whole story about the challenge he posed at that stage of his career.

“Father Time will get every single one of us if we stay in this game long enough,” Allen said, explaining why he believed Du Plessis had taken the easier fight.

Allen then made his case for why he would have been the more difficult opponent. He pointed to his age, drive, physicality, and the all-American grit he brings to the cage to make his case for a grudge match against “Stillknocks.” 

“I’m younger, I’m hungrier, I’m bigger, I’m faster, and I’m stronger,” he added.

“Hats off” - Allen Backs Sean Strickland’s UFC Fighter Pay Grievance

The mood wasn’t entirely hostile after UFC Vegas 122. While Allen took aim at Du Plessis and even threw a stray at Henry Cejudo, Usman’s Pound 4 Pound podcast co-host, the middleweight contender also had praise for his close pal, Sean Strickland

The 30-year-old backed the MW king for challenging the UFC over fighter pay, applauding his willingness to speak publicly about an issue he believes affects the entire roster.

“Hats off to Sean for speaking up and trying to get more money, because if you look at the scope of things, based on statistics, we are underpaid. I ain’t trying to get cancelled, at least not by the bosses.” Strickland has been outspoken about fighter compensation, and Allen’s support suggests the concern extends beyond one fighter’s public dispute with the UFC.

For Allen, though, the issue is particularly relevant as he pushes for a fight that could put him closer to another title opportunity. He has won four straight, stopped a prospect who had never previously been finished, all while remaining one of the top prospects at 185 lbs.