TLDR
- Brendan Allen claims Dricus du Plessis avoided fighting him in January due to injury
- Du Plessis went on to fight Kamaru Usman instead, winning by decision in July
- Allen believes he presented a tougher challenge than the 39-year-old former welterweight champion
- Allen faces Christian Leroy Duncan in the UFC Vegas 122 main event Saturday night
- Most Bloody Elbow staff predict Allen will win by decision using his grappling skills
Sources: yardbarker.com | sherdog.com | ufc.com
Brendan Allen has accused UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis of avoiding a fight with him earlier this year. Allen says a matchup between the two fighters was being planned for January before it fell apart.
According to Allen, he was told du Plessis pulled out due to injury. The champion then faced former UFC titleholder Kamaru Usman in July instead, winning by unanimous decision.
Brendan Allen says DDP took the “easier fight" against Kamaru Usman instead of fighting him 👀
"He took the easier route. He can say whatever he wants, it's a fact. We were supposed to fight… Obviously Kamaru is a bigger draw even though he's older, up a weight class. Everyone… pic.twitter.com/uslepnZDNb
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) October 8, 2026
Allen Questions Champion’s Choice of Opponent
Allen told UFC on Paramount+ that du Plessis took the easier fight. He acknowledges Usman is a bigger name but believes he presents a tougher challenge for the champion.
“I know he’s had the opportunity to fight me and he took the easier route,” Allen said. “He can say whatever he wants; it’s a fact.”
The 30-year-old fighter explained his reasoning for calling the Usman fight easier. “Everyone knows it was the easier fight. I’m bigger, I’m stronger, I’m faster,” Allen said.
Allen added that while people focus on Usman’s past achievements, he doesn’t think the former welterweight champion could last five rounds with him. Usman is 39 years old and moved up from the 170-pound division.
Allen currently holds a record of 27-7 and enters Saturday’s fight on a three-fight win streak. He is preparing for his 20th fight inside the UFC Octagon.
Staff Predictions Favor Allen’s Grappling
Allen will headline UFC Vegas 122 Saturday night at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas against Christian Leroy Duncan. Duncan comes into the fight with a 15-2 record and has won five straight fights.
Most Bloody Elbow staff writers predict Allen will win the matchup. Four of five writers picked Allen to win by decision, with one predicting a submission victory.
Jordan Ellis expects Allen to dominate on the ground and secure his 15th career submission win. Donagh Corby believes Allen is simply a level above Duncan in skill.
Jamie Theodosi doesn’t see Duncan keeping Allen away for all five rounds. “Allen trains with some of the best middleweights in the world,” Theodosi said.
Kyle Dimond was the only writer to pick Duncan, predicting he might catch Allen with a knee during a takedown attempt. Harvey Leonard expects Allen to use control time on the ground to win a decision.
Allen has rebounded well after losing back-to-back decisions to Nassourdine Imavov and Anthony Hernandez in late 2024 and early 2025. His recent wins include victories over Marvin Vettori, Reinier de Ridder, and Edmen Shahbazyan.
The fighter rates his UFC career so far as a “C+” by his own standards but admits others might grade it higher. He attributes his self-criticism to the losses he’s taken, which he believes were preventable.
Allen said he expects Saturday’s fight to be exciting because both fighters like to bring pressure. “I’m not backing down from any of those challenges,” he said. “I’m not gonna sit here and run from you.”
The middleweight division is currently uncertain due to reports that Sean Strickland has threatened to vacate his title over a pay dispute. Allen and Duncan both hope to position themselves for a title shot with a win Saturday night at UFC Vegas 122.
