Brendan Allen Calls Out Dricus Du Plessis After Submission Win Over Christian Leroy Duncan
Brendan Allen submitted Christian Leroy Duncan in the fifth round of their UFC Vegas 122 main event and immediately pressed for a fight with former middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis.
Allen finished the bout with a rear-naked choke at 2:46 of the final round inside the Meta Apex in Las Vegas.
The victory extended his winning streak to four and improved his overall record to 28-7. Duncan entered the fight on a five-fight win streak but could not escape the choke once Allen secured full back control late in the contest.
In the post-fight interview with Michael Bisping, Allen addressed his ranking and what he believed the win should earn him. “Yeah, I’m the real number four,” he said. “I beat the winner. If he would have beat me, he would have got a title shot. So he was number four. I smashed him. I’m the number four. I’m steady defending my spot, doing what I need to do.”
Allen then turned his attention to the top of the division.
“The bosses see me doing that thing,” he continued. “And, I think we’ll be, I think we’ll be rewarded next. Where’s the champion? If not, where’s Dickus? He been running for a little while. If not, Mike, put your belt back up.”
Bisping responded with humor to the suggestion that he return to the cage.
“Dricus Du Plessis, you calling me out? Bro, I’m almost 50,” the former middleweight champion said before congratulating Allen on the finish.
The exchange drew laughs from the crowd and closed the segment on a lighter note after Allen’s more pointed comments.
The callout continues a running exchange between Allen and Du Plessis. Allen has previously stated that a fight between them was expected earlier in the year before Du Plessis instead faced Kamaru Usman in July.
He has described that matchup as the easier option and argued that he should have been the one in the cage against the former champion.
Du Plessis remains near the top of the middleweight rankings after his win over Usman, while Sean Strickland currently holds the title. Allen’s latest performance strengthens his case for a step up, though the division’s title picture already includes several other contenders.
The UFC has not announced the next middleweight title fight, leaving room for additional ranked matchups in the meantime.
Allen’s submission of Duncan also ends a promising run for the English fighter, who had been climbing the rankings with decision victories over established names. The late finish showed Allen’s ability to stay composed deep into a five-round fight and capitalize when the opportunity appeared.
With the win secured, Allen has positioned himself as one of the more active and outspoken contenders outside the immediate title conversation.
Whether the UFC books him against Du Plessis or moves him toward another top-five opponent will determine how quickly he can force his way into a championship opportunity. The middleweight division remains crowded at the top, and Allen’s latest comments make clear he expects to be part of the next round of matchmaking.
