Brendan Allen believes he is getting closer to a title opportunity, and depending on the outcome of his next bout, he could potentially earn one. Set to face long-standing contender Marvin Vettori, Allen is confident that a victory could secure him a chance to compete for the UFC middleweight championship, or at the very least, determine the next challenger. Allen (23-5 MMA, 11-2 UFC) and Vettori (19-6-1 MMA, 9-5-1 UFC) are scheduled to headline a UFC Fight Night event on April 6 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
This upcoming fight against Vettori is arguably the most significant challenge of Allen’s career thus far, and he acknowledges that there is a lot at stake. According to Allen, the outcome of the fight will heavily influence his prospects. He believes that if he can secure a decisive victory and make it appear effortless, his name will be in contention for a shot at the title. Allen is confident in his abilities, stating that he is superior in every aspect of the fight. While acknowledging Vettori’s toughness, Allen remains focused on his own performance and is eager to see how things unfold.
Allen is currently on an impressive six-fight winning streak since suffering a loss to Chris Curtis in December 2021. In his most recent bout in November, he secured a submission victory over Paul Craig. Although Allen had hoped to face Sean Strickland for the UFC middleweight championship, he is not fixated on who holds the belt at the moment. His primary goal is to earn a shot at the title, regardless of the champion’s identity.
“I was hoping for a rematch with Sean, but I am also open to facing (Dricus) Du Plessis,” Allen explained. “I have been eager to fight him ever since he joined the UFC, and he has been avoiding tough opponents. The outcome is what it is. He may have obtained the belt, but did he truly earn it? Is it rightfully his? Everyone has their own perspective. However, when it is my turn, it does not matter who the champion is.”