Brendan Allen

Background Allen was born to Michelle and James Allen of Louisiana. Allen's maternal grandparents are from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Allen has an older brother.

Brendan started training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu when he was 13 after watching a jiu-jitsu class with his brother. In high school, Allen started competing in Mississippi after he had some training in both wrestling and boxing.

He attended Southeastern Louisiana University, majoring in criminal justice.

Dana White's Contender Series Allen appeared in Dana White's Contender Series 20 on July 16, 2019, facing Aaron Jeffery. He won the fight via a submission in the first round. With this win, he was awarded a UFC contract.

Ultimate Fighting Championship In his UFC debut, Allen was scheduled to face Eric Spicely on October 18, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 6. However, Spicely was forced to withdraw from the event due to an undisclosed reason. Allen instead faced Kevin Holland. He won the fight via a submission in round two.

Allen's next fight came on February 29, 2020, facing Tom Breese at UFC Fight Night 169. He won the fight by TKO in the first round.

Allan was scheduled to face Ian Heinisch on June 27, 2020, at UFC on ESPN 12. However, Heinisch pulled out of the match up in mid-June citing an injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Kyle Daukaus. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

The bout between Heinisch and Allen was rescheduled to November 7, 2020, at UFC on ESPN 17. On the day of the event, the UFC announced the bout was once again canceled due to Heinisch testing positive for COVID-19.

Replacing Heinisch and having fought two weeks prior, Sean Strickland took on Allen on November 14, 2020, in a Catchweight (195 lb) bout, at UFC Fight Night 182. Allen lost the fight via technical knockout in round two.

Allen faced Karl Roberson on April 24, 2021, at UFC 261. He won the bout via ankle hook submission at the end of the first round.

Replacing injured Anthony Hernandez, Allen faced Punahele Soriano on July 24, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 27. Allen won the fight via unanimous decision.

Allen was scheduled to face Brad Tavares on December 4, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 31. Tavares pulled out in mid November and was replaced by Roman Dolidze. In turn Dolidze was forced to pull from the bout due to complications in his recovery from COVID-19 and he was replaced by Chris Curtis. Allen lost the fight via technical knockout in round two.

Allen faced Sam Alvey, replacing Phil Hawes, in a Light Heavyweight bout, on February 5, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 200. He won the fight via rear-naked choke submission in the second round.

Allen faced Jacob Malkoun on June 11, 2022, at UFC 275. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Allen faced Krzysztof Jotko on October 1, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 211. He won the bout at the end of the first round, submitting Jotko via rear-naked choke. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Allen faced André Muniz on February 25, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 220. He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in round three. This win earned him the Performance of the Night bonus.

Allen was scheduled to face Jack Hermansson on June 3, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 46. However, Hermansson withdrew in late April due to an undisclosed injury and the bout was cancelled.

Allen faced Bruno Silva on June 24, 2023 at UFC on ABC 5. He won the bout in the first round via a rear-naked choke submission.

Allen faced Paul Craig on November 18, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 232. He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the third round. With this win, he earned a Performance of the Night award.

Allen was scheduled to face Marvin Vettori on April 6, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 240. However on March 14, it was announced that Vettori had withdrawn due to an injury, and was replaced by Chris Curtis in a rematch and again on short notice. Allen won the fight by split decision.

Allen faced Nassourdine Imavov on September 28, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 243. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Allen faced former LFA Middleweight Champion Anthony Hernandez in a rematch on February 22, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 252. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Allen's bout with Marvin Vettori was re-scheduled and took place on July 19, 2025, at UFC 318. Allen won the fight by unanimous decision. This fight earned him a Fight of the Night award.

Replacing Anthony Hernandez who had to withdraw due to an injury, Allen faced Reinier de Ridder in the main event on October 18, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 262. Allen won the bout via technical knockout at the end of the fourth round, after de Ridder was unable to continue.

Allen faced Edmen Shahbazyan on June 6, 2026, at UFC Fight Night 278. He won the fight by unanimous decision. This fight earned him a $100,000 Fight of the Night award.

Allen is scheduled to face Christian Leroy Duncan in the main event on October 10, 2026, at UFC Fight Night 290.

Grappling career Allen faced Caio Borralho on February 28, 2025 in a submission match at Karate Combat 53. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Personal life Allen and his former wife Marcela had two daughters, born in November 2019 and November 2021. He later welcomed a son with his current wife in December 2024. In January 2026, Allen and his current wife welcomed a newborn daughter. As of January 2026, his wife also has a 14‑year‑old son from a previous relationship.

Championships and accomplishments Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight of the Night (Two times) Tied (Derek Brunson, Nate Marquardt & Chris Leben) for third most finishes in UFC Middleweight division history (9) Tied (Anderson Silva, Derek Brunson & Robert Whittaker) for third most wins in UFC Middleweight division history (14) Tied (Charles Oliveira) for fifth most rear-naked choke submissions in UFC history (6) Legacy Fighting Alliance LFA Middleweight Championship (One time) . Valor Fights Valor Fights Middleweight Championship MMA Fighting 2023 Third Team MMA All-Star

Mixed martial arts record Win

Edmen Shahbazyan Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Muhammad vs. Bonfim

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Reinier de Ridder TKO (corner stoppage) UFC Fight Night: de Ridder vs. Allen

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Win

Marvin Vettori Decision (unanimous) UFC 318

New Orleans, Louisiana, United States Loss

Anthony Hernandez Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Song

Seattle, Washington, United States Loss

Nassourdine Imavov Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Saint Denis

Paris, France Win

Chris Curtis Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Curtis 2

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Paul Craig Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Craig

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Bruno Silva Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on ABC: Emmett vs. Topuria

Jacksonville, Florida, United States Win

André Muniz Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Muniz vs. Allen

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Krzysztof Jotko Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Yan

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Jacob Malkoun Decision (unanimous) UFC 275

Kallang, Singapore Win

Sam Alvey Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Strickland

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Chris Curtis TKO (punches and knees) UFC on ESPN: Font vs. Aldo

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Punahele Soriano Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Karl Roberson Submission (ankle lock) UFC 261

Jacksonville, Florida, United States Loss

Sean Strickland TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Kyle Daukaus Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Poirier vs. Hooker

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Tom Breese TKO (elbows and punches) UFC Fight Night: Benavidez vs. Figueiredo

Norfolk, Virginia, United States Win

Kevin Holland Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Weidman

Boston, Massachusetts, United States Win

Aaron Jeffery Submission (rear-naked choke) Dana White's Contender Series 20

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Moses Murrietta Decision (unanimous) LFA 61

Prior Lake, Minnesota, United States Win

Tim Hiley Submission (rear-naked choke) LFA 50

Prior Lake, Minnesota, United States Win

Larry Crowe TKO (punches) LFA 43

Beaumont, Texas, United States Loss

Anthony Hernandez Decision (unanimous) LFA 32

Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States Win

Chris Harris Submission (triangle choke) LFA 18

Shawnee, Oklahoma, United States Loss

Eryk Anders Decision (unanimous) LFA 14

Houston, Texas, United States Win

Jon Kirk TKO (punches) LFA 3

Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States Win

Sidney Wheeler Submission (keylock) Valor Fights 3

Knoxville, Tennessee, United States Win

Matt Jones Submission (rear-naked choke) Mid City Fight Productions 2

Avondale, Louisiana, United States Win

Clovis Hancock Submission (rear-naked choke) Legacy FC 58

Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States Win

Charlie Rader Submission (rear-naked choke) World FC 52

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States Loss

Trevin Giles Submission (rear-naked choke) Legacy FC 52

Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States Win

Kory Moegenburg TKO (punches) World FC 46

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States Win

Zebulon Stroud TKO (punches) World FC 42

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States