Brendan Allen Is Top 5 and Fighting Unranked Guys: The UFC's Weirdest Snub

Alright, Seattle, let's talk about something a little outside Lumen Field or T-Mobile Park for a sec, because the fighting world just delivered a head-scratcher that's got me feeling the same kind of frustration as a last-minute Seahawks penalty. Remember UFC Vegas 118 this past weekend? Sure, Gabriel Bonfim's big win over Belal Muhammad was wild, and there were some gnarly first-round finishes. But what the heck happened to Brendan Allen? This guy, ranked No. 4 in the middleweight division, just beat Edmen Shahbazyan in the co-main event, and honestly, the whole situation is a total mess that screams he's getting the short end of the stick.

From Co-Main Event Win to What-Ifs

So, Allen gets the win at UFC Vegas 118, right? He and Shahbazyan traded some serious blows in those first two rounds. Allen had a strong start, but Shahbazyan was landing some good shots himself by the end of the first five minutes. Then, Allen's power just cranked up. He picked "The Golden Boy" apart, and it was a clear decision victory for our guy. But here's the kicker, and this is where it gets crazy: why was a No. 4 ranked fighter even in there with Shahbazyan? This dude, while on a three-fight win streak, is *way* past his 2019 top prospect days. Seriously, a lot of folks are saying he shouldn't even be close to sniffing the rankings right now. It just feels... off.

The De Ridder Win That Should Have Changed Everything

This isn't a one-off thing, either. Cast your minds back to October, Allen stepped up huge for UFC Vancouver. He took a main event slot on short notice, filling in for an injured Anthony "Fluffy" Hernandez against Reinier de Ridder. Everyone was expecting de Ridder to take that win and slide right into a middleweight title shot. But Allen? He was game, man! De Ridder got a takedown in the first, sure, but Allen saw right through his energy tank, got on top in the second, and wore him down until de Ridder literally quit on his stool. A finish like that, on short notice against a title contender, should have had everyone talking title shots for Allen. Especially since de Ridder versus Hernandez was supposed to be a title eliminator! But what happened instead? The UFC waited for Hernandez to heal up. Hernandez then lost to Sean Strickland, which somehow led to Strickland upsetting Khamzat Chimaev for the title at UFC 328. Look, that Strickland-Chimaev fight was a classic, no doubt. But it still feels super weird that Allen can beat a guy who was literally in title contention, on short notice, then just seven months later get booked against an unranked fighter. What gives?

Why "All-In" Allen Deserves His Shot

I know, I know. Some people aren't huge fans of Allen's style, his fight pace, or even how he talks in promos. Some nitpick his "low fight IQ moments." But come on, this is a top-five ranked fighter we're talking about! He deserves serious respect for what he's done in that weight class. And let's be real, his losses to guys like Hernandez, Imavov, Strickland, and Chris Curtis? Those aren't bad losses by any stretch. He's been doing the UFC a solid, taking big risks, and proving he belongs in that upper echelon of contenders. So, what's next? The division is a bit murky, with questions about Chimaev moving up to light heavyweight, a potential Strickland vs. Chimaev rematch, or even a Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis trilogy if DDP beats Kamaru Usman (and Du Plessis has already beaten Strickland twice!). Regardless of how that shakes out, you can't just keep Allen on the sidelines. He's earned a title shot off these two wins, no question. If not that, then he absolutely deserves a title eliminator against a real contender. Rematch Imavov? Get the DDP vs. Usman winner? Or how about a revenge match against Hernandez or a showdown with Caio Borralho? It's time the UFC recognizes what Allen has done. Let's get this man a fight that matters, because this Emerald City fan is ready to see him climb!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.