Brendan Allen

Brendan Cody Allen (born December 28, 1995) is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

A professional since 2015, he has also competed for the Legacy Fighting Alliance, where he is the former Middleweight Champion.

As of February 20, 2024, he is #6 in the UFC middleweight rankings.

Allen was born to Michelle Allen and James Allen of Louisiana.

Allen has an older brother, James Jr. 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 wrestling and boxing.

Allen attended university at Southeastern Louisiana University, majoring in criminal justice.

He later joined Clementi's Gladiator Academy to train in mixed martial arts.

After winning the IMMAF 2015 Amateur Middleweight Championship, Allen turned to compete in professional MMA.

Allen started his professional MMA career in 2015 and fought under various promotions in the South.

He was the Legacy Fighting Alliance middleweight champion twice, defeating Tim Hiley and Moses Murrietta at LFA 50 and LFA 61, respectively.

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.

In his UFC debut, Allen was scheduled to face Eric Spicely on October 18, 2019, at UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Weidman.

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: Benavidez vs. Figueiredo.

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: Poirier vs. Hooker.

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 again on November 7, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Teixeira.

On the day of the event, the UFC announced the bout was once again canceled due to Heinisch tested positive for COVID-19.

Allen faced Sean Strickland on November 14, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos.

He lost the fight via technical knockout.

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: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw.

Allen won the fight via unanimous decision.

Allen was scheduled to face Brad Tavares on December 4, 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Font vs. Aldo.

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, 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: Dern vs. Yan.