Brendan Allen

Brendan Cody Allen(born December 28, 1995) is an American professionalmixed martial artist. He currently competes in theMiddleweightdivision of theUltimate Fighting Championship(UFC). A professional since 2015, he has also competed for theLegacy Fighting Alliance, where he is a former Middleweight Champion. As of October 28, 2024, he is #9 in theUFC middleweight rankings.
Allen was born to Michelle and James Allen of Louisiana. Allen has an older brother. Brendan started training inBrazilian jiu-jitsuwhen 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 atSoutheastern Louisiana University, majoring incriminal justice.He later joined Clementi's Gladiator Academy to train in mixed martial arts. After winning theIMMAF 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 theLegacy Fighting Alliancemiddleweight champion twice, defeating Tim Hiley and Moses Murrietta at LFA 50 and LFA 61, respectively.
Allen appeared inDana White's Contender Series 20on 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 faceEric Spicelyon October 18, 2019, atUFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Weidman.However, Spicely was forced to withdraw from the event due to an undisclosed reason.Allen instead facedKevin Holland.He won the fight via a submission in round two.
Allen's next fight came on February 29, 2020, facingTom BreeseatUFC Fight Night: Benavidez vs. Figueiredo.He won the fight by TKO in the first round.
Allan was scheduled to faceIan Heinischon June 27, 2020, atUFC on ESPN: Poirier vs. Hooker.However, Heinisch pulled out of the match up in mid-June citing an injury and was replaced by promotional newcomerKyle Daukaus.He won the fight via unanimous decision.
The bout between Heinisch and Allen was rescheduled to November 7, 2020, atUFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Teixeira.On the day of the event, the UFC announced the bout was once again canceled due to Heinisch testing positive forCOVID-19.
Replacing Heinisch and having fought two weeks prior,Sean Stricklandtook on Allen on November 14, 2020, in a Catchweight (195 lb) bout, atUFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos.Allen lost the fight via technical knockout in round two.
Allen facedKarl Robersonon April 24, 2021, atUFC 261.He won the bout via ankle hook submission at the end of the first round.
Replacing injuredAnthony Hernandez, Allen facedPunahele Sorianoon July 24, 2021, atUFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw.Allen won the fight via unanimous decision.
Allen was scheduled to faceBrad Tavareson December 4, 2021, atUFC on ESPN: Font vs. Aldo.Tavares pulled out in mid November and was replaced byRoman Dolidze.In turn Dolidze was forced to pull from the bout due to complications in his recovery from COVID-19 and he was replaced byChris Curtis.Allen lost the fight via technical knockout in round two.
Allen facedSam Alvey, replacingPhil Hawes, in a Light Heavyweight bout, on February 5, 2022, atUFC Fight Night 200.He won the fight via rear-naked choke submission in the second round.
Allen facedJacob Malkounon June 11, 2022, atUFC 275.He won the bout via unanimous decision.
Allen facedKrzysztof Jotkoon October 1, 2022, atUFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Yan. He won the bout at the end of the first round, submitting Jotko via rear-naked choke.This win earned him thePerformance of the Nightaward.
Allen facedAndré Munizon February 25, 2023, atUFC Fight Night 220.He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in round three.This win earned him thePerformance of the Nightbonus.
Allen was scheduled to faceJack Hermanssonon June 3, 2023, atUFC on ESPN 46.However, Hermansson withdrew in late April due to an undisclosed injury and the bout was cancelled.
Allen facedBruno Silvaon June 24, 2023 atUFC on ABC 5.He won the bout in the first round via a rear-naked choke submission.
Allen facedPaul Craigon November 18, 2023, atUFC Fight Night 232.He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the third round.With this win, he earned aPerformance of the Nightaward.
Allen was scheduled to faceMarvin Vettorion April 6, 2024, atUFC Fight Night 240.However on March 14, it was announced that Vettori had withdrawn due to an injury,and was replaced byChris Curtisin a rematch and again on short notice.Allen won the fight by split decision.
Allen facedNassourdine Imavovon September 28, 2024 atUFC Fight Night 243.He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
Allen is scheduled to faceAnthony Hernandezin a rematch on February 22, 2025 atUFC Fight Night 252.
Allen and his wife Suzette had their first daughter, Brenleigh, in November 2019.Their second daughter, Emme, was born in November 2021.