Brendan Allen Is Ranked No. 4, So Why Is The UFC Treating Him Like An Unranked Scrub?!

Alright, fam, can we talk about UFC Vegas 118 for a sec? Yeah, Gabriel Bonfim pulled off a massive win and there were some wild first-round finishes, but seriously, can we get real about Brendan Allen? Our guy went in there and took down Edmen Shahbazyan in the co-main event by a clear decision. On paper, that's a W, but if you actually watched, you know this whole situation is just… weird. Allen, a legitimate No. 4 in the middleweight rankings, fought a dude who, let's be honest, many say shouldn't even be sniffing the rankings right now. Shahbazyan was on a three-fight streak, sure, but those top-prospect days of 2019 are long gone. What gives, UFC?

The "Golden Boy" Win Was Good, But The Context Is Criminal

So, Allen and Shahbazyan traded blows, especially in those first two rounds. Allen had a strong start, but Shahbazyan actually landed some better shots by the end of the first five minutes. Then, Allen's power just clicked, picking "The Golden Boy" apart on his way to that decision. Look, the performance itself wasn't bad. He got the win. But the problem isn't the fight itself, it's that Allen, a top-five contender, was even *in* that position. This isn't what a guy who's earned his stripes should be doing. Remember just last October? That's where the real head-scratcher comes in.

Seriously, What Happened After Reinier de Ridder Quit?!

Seven months ago, Brendan Allen stepped up on short notice for UFC Vancouver's main event. Anthony "Fluffy" Hernandez was out, and Allen took on Reinier de Ridder. Everyone, and I mean *everyone*, expected RDR to win and snag a middleweight title shot. But Allen? He was game, man! De Ridder got a takedown in the first round, but Allen saw right through that energy tank. Our guy got on top in the second round, wore him down, and RDR QUIT ON HIS STOOL. You heard that right. Quit! That was a performance that should have launched Allen straight into title contention, especially since RDR versus Hernandez was a planned title eliminator, and the other eliminator, Imavov versus Borralho, was a total stinker. Instead, the UFC hit pause, waited for Hernandez to heal, watched him lose to Sean Strickland, which then led to Strickland upsetting Khamzat Chimaev for the title at UFC 328. It was a classic fight, don't get me wrong, but how do you go from making a guy quit who was in title talks to fighting an unranked dude seven months later? Some people don't like Allen's style or his promos, but a top-five fighter deserves respect. His losses to Hernandez, Imavov, Strickland, and Chris Curtis? Not terrible by any stretch. Brendan Allen has done the UFC a solid, taken risks, and proven he belongs. We need answers on the division's future. Is Chimaev really moving to light heavyweight? Are we getting a Strickland versus Chimaev rematch? If Chimaev moves and Dricus Du Plessis wins his rumored matchup against Kamaru Usman, then is it a Strickland versus Du Plessis trilogy, with Du Plessis already having beaten Strickland twice? Whatever the chaos, you can't just keep Allen on the sidelines. He absolutely deserves a title shot, or at the very least, a title eliminator. Match him up with Imavov if Imavov isn't getting the shot. Give him the DDP versus Usman winner. Or, let him try to get revenge against Hernandez or face Caio Borralho. He's earned another major opportunity to push his status further, and we need to see it happen, like, yesterday.

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