Brendan Allen Saves His Best for Last With Dramatic Fifth-Round Stoppage
Brendan Allen submits Christian Leroy Duncan with a fifth-round rear-naked choke at UFC Vegas 122 and calls for a bigger fight.
Brendan Allen took nearly the full 25 minutes to seal the deal, but the UFC middleweight contender came through when it mattered the most. In the UFC Vegas 122 main event, facing Christian Leroy Duncan, Allen survived a tough battle before locking in a fifth-round rear-naked choke, clinching a statement victory and extending his winning streak to four fights.
Brendan Allen Finds the Finish Against Christian Leroy Duncan
The main event Saturday at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas really put Allen’s patience to the test against a formidable striker. Riding high on a five-fight winning streak, Duncan showcased his striking and made Allen earn every grappling opportunity.
Allen began to impose his ground game as the fight progressed, but Duncan kept threatening with his offense. The contest also took a turn in the second round when referee Marc Goddard deducted a point from Duncan for an eye poke.
Reflecting on the difficult fight during his post-fight interview, Allen admitted, “He's tougher than I thought. But I knew deeper waters. I just started -- I just couldn't get out of the fog. I just felt a little slow tonight. But it happens. We still got through it.”
Allen Turns Attention Toward UFC Middleweight Gold
Allen's recent victory has really solidified his standing among the top contenders in the division. With impressive wins over Marvin Vettori, Reinier de Ridder, and Edmen Shahbazyan in his latest fights, he's making a strong case for a shot at the middleweight championship.
After his latest finish, Allen was clear about his ambitions, calling for a bigger opportunity.
“I think we'll be rewarded next. Fight the champion, and if not, where's ? He's been running for a little while,” he said.
With another ranked opponent behind him, Allen has given the UFC another reason to consider him for a high-profile matchup. While it’s still uncertain if this will lead directly to a title shot, his latest win has definitely left him with some serious momentum as he heads out of Las Vegas.
