Brendan Cody Allen (born December 28, 1995) is an American professional

mixed martial artist Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact fighting sport based on striking and grappling; incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world. In the early 20th century, various inter-stylistic contests took place t ...

. He currently competes in the

Middleweight Middleweight is a weight class in combat sports. Boxing Professional In professional boxing, the middleweight division is contested above and up to . Early boxing history is less than exact, but the middleweight designation seems to have beg ...

division of the

Ultimate Fighting Championship The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promoter (entertainment), promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority owned subsidiary of Endeavor ( ...

(UFC). A professional since 2015, he has also competed for the

Legacy Fighting Alliance The Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promoter (entertainment), promotion company based in Houston, Texas. It was created as a result of the Legacy Fighting Championship and Resurrection Fighting Alliance merg ...

, where he is a former Middleweight Champion. As of March 18, 2025, he is #11 in the UFC middleweight rankings.

Background

Allen was born to Michelle and James Allen of Louisiana. Allen has an older brother. 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 Mississippi ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern and Deep South regions of the United States. It borders Tennessee to the north, Alabama to the east, the Gulf of Mexico to the south, Louisiana to the s ...

after he had some training in

wrestling Wrestling is a martial art, combat sport, and form of entertainment that involves grappling with an opponent and striving to obtain a position of advantage through different throws or techniques, within a given ruleset. Wrestling involves di ...

and

boxing Boxing is a combat sport and martial art. Taking place in a boxing ring, it involves two people – usually wearing protective equipment, such as boxing glove, protective gloves, hand wraps, and mouthguards – throwing Punch (combat), punch ...

. He attended university at

Southeastern Louisiana University Southeastern Louisiana University (Southeastern) is a public university in Hammond, Louisiana. It was founded in 1925 by Linus A. Sims as Hammond Junior College. Sims succeeded in getting the campus moved to north Hammond in 1928, when it beca ...

, majoring in

criminal justice Criminal justice is the delivery of justice to those who have been accused of committing crimes. The criminal justice system is a series of government agencies and institutions. Goals include the rehabilitation of offenders, preventing other ...

. Allen 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.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

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

middleweight champion twice, defeating Tim Hiley and Moses Murrietta at LFA 50 and LFA 61, respectively.

Dana White's Contender Series

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.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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 Kevin Alan Holland (born November 5, 1992) is an American professional mixed martial artist and former kickboxer. He currently competes in the Welterweight and Middleweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional si ...

. 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 Ian Edward Heinisch (born August 5, 1988) is an American former mixed martial artist who previously competed in the middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional since 2015, he has also competed for the World Series ...

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 Kyle Daukaus ( ; born February 27, 1993) is an American mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist who competes in the Middleweight (MMA), Middleweight division of Cage Fury Fighting Championships, where he is the Cage Fury FC Middleweight Champion. ...

. He won the fight via unanimous decision. The bout between Heinisch and Allen was rescheduled to 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 testing positive for

COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic. The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include fever ...

. Replacing Heinisch and having fought two weeks prior,

Sean Strickland Sean Thomas Strickland (born February 27, 1991) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is a former UFC Middleweight Champion. ...

took on Allen on November 14, 2020, in a Catchweight (195 lb) bout, at UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos. Allen lost the fight via technical knockout in round two. Allen faced

Karl Roberson Karl Roberson (born October 4, 1990) is an American former kickboxer and mixed martial artist who competed in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Early life and education Raised in Neptune Township, New Jersey. Rober ...

on April 24, 2021, at

UFC 261 ''UFC 261: Usman vs. Masvidal 2'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on April 24, 2021 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida, United States. Background The promoti ...

. He won the bout via ankle hook submission at the end of the first round. Replacing injured Anthony Hernandez, Allen faced

Punahele Soriano Punahele Soriano (born November 22, 1992) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional since 2017, he has also fought in the PFL and Titan FC. Background As ...

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 Bradley Kaipo Sarbida Tavares (born December 21, 1987) is an American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2007, Tavares fought in regional p ...

on December 4, 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Font vs. Aldo. Tavares pulled out in mid November and was replaced by

Roman Dolidze Roman Dolidze (born 15 July 1988) is a Georgian professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2016, Dolidze was the former World Warriors F ...

. 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 Chris Curtis may refer to: * Chris Curtis (fighter) (born 1987), American MMA fighter * Chris Curtis (musician) (1941–2005), British drummer and singer, best known for being with The Searchers * Chris Curtis (politician), British Member of Pa ...

. Allen lost the fight via technical knockout in round two. Allen faced

Sam Alvey Sam Alvey (born May 6, 1986) is an American professional mixed martial artist, who competed in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is the current Karate Combat Heavyweight Champion. A professional MMA competi ...

, replacing

Phil Hawes Philip Nicholas Fitzgerald Hawes (born January 8, 1989) is an American mixed martial artist who last competed in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Background Hawes started out as a standout wrestler, winning a natio ...

, in a Light Heavyweight bout, 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 ''UFC 275: Teixeira vs. Procházka'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on June 12, 2022, at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang, Singapore. Background A UFC Light Heavyweight Champi ...

. He won the bout via unanimous decision. Allen faced

Krzysztof Jotko Krzysztof Jotko (born August 19, 1989) is a Polish mixed martial artist currently competing in the Light heavyweight (MMA), Light Heavyweight division. He has previously fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Professional Fighters Leagu ...

on October 1, 2022, at UFC 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 the ''Performance of the Night'' award. Allen faced André Muniz on February 25, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 220. He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in round three. This win earned him the '' Performance of the Night'' bonus. Allen was scheduled to face

Jack Hermansson Jack Berndhard Hermansson (born 10 June 1988) is a Swedish and Norwegian professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is the former middleweight champion in ...

on June 3, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 46. However, Hermansson withdrew in late April due to an undisclosed injury and the bout was cancelled. Allen faced Bruno Silva on June 24, 2023 at UFC on ABC 5. He won the bout in the first round via a rear-naked choke submission. Allen faced

Paul Craig Paul Lindsey Craig (born 27 November 1987) is a Scottish mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2013, Craig formerly competed for BAMMA, where h ...

on November 18, 2023, at

UFC Fight Night 232 ''UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Craig'' (also known as ''UFC Fight Night 232, UFC on ESPN+ 90'' and ''UFC Vegas 82'') was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on November 18, 2023, at the UFC Apex ...

. He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the third round. With this win, he earned a '' Performance of the Night'' award. Allen was scheduled to face

Marvin Vettori Marvin Vettori (; born September 20, 1993) is an Italian professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2012, Vettori is a former Venator FC W ...

on April 6, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 240. However on March 14, it was announced that Vettori had withdrawn due to an injury, and was replaced by

in a rematch and again on short notice. Allen won the fight by split decision. Allen faced Nassourdine Imavov on September 28, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 243. He lost the fight by unanimous decision. Allen faced former LFA Middleweight Champion Anthony Hernandez in a rematch on February 22, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 252. He lost the fight by unanimous decision. Allen has been re-scheduled to face

on July 19, 2025, at

UFC 318 ''UFC 318: Holloway vs. Poirier 3'' is an upcoming mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that will take place on July 19, 2025, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Background The event will ma ...

Grappling career

Allen faced Caio Borralho on February 28, 2025 in a submission match at Karate Combat 53. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Personal life

Allen and his wife Suzette had their first daughter, Brenleigh, in November 2019. Their second daughter, Emme, was born in November 2021.

Championships and accomplishments

** Performance of the Night (Three times) **Second most submissions in UFC Middleweight division history (6) **Tied (

Charles Oliveira Charles Oliveira da Silva (born October 17, 1989) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist and fourth degree black belt Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner. Oliveira currently competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting ...

) for the third longest submission streak in UFC history (4) **Tied (

Renato Moicano Renato Alves Carneiro (born May 21, 1989), known as Renato Moicano, is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2010, Moic ...

) for fourth most rear-naked choke submissions in UFC history (6) *

** LFA Middleweight Champion (One time) . ***One successful defense *

International Mixed Martial Arts Federation The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) was founded on 29 February 2012 as the international governing body for amateur mixed martial arts (MMA). Registered as a non-profit organization under Swedish law, IMMAF serves as a democ ...

(IMMAF) ** IMMAF 2015 Amateur Middleweight Champion

Mixed martial arts record

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Norfolk, Virginia Norfolk ( ) is an independent city (United States), independent city in the U.S. state of Virginia. It had a population of 238,005 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, making it the List of cities in Virginia, third-most populous city ...

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Eryk Anders Eryk Anders (born April 21, 1987) is an American professional mixed martial artist and former American football linebacker. He competes in the Middleweight division of the UFC. He played college football at the University of Alabama. Early lif ...

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Trevin Giles Trevin Dewayne Giles (born August 6, 1992) is an American mixed martial artist. Giles currently competes in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Background Giles was born in San Antonio, Texas, and was a footbal ...

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References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Allen, Brendan 1995 births Living people Middleweight mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists utilizing boxing Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu Mixed martial artists utilizing wrestling Mixed martial artists from Louisiana American male mixed martial artists American practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu People awarded a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters Mixed martial artists from South Carolina 21st-century American sportsmen