Brendan Allen Stops Christian Leroy Duncan, Seeking Match With Strickland Or Du Plessis Next

It was clear the Meta APEX was going to be in for a show with top ten middleweights Brendan Allen and Christian Leroy Duncan coming together in Saturday’s main event, and the pair delivered with an exciting back-and-forth match involving heavy elements of both striking and grappling.

In the fifth round, Allen put his Jiu-Jitsu prowess on full display by constricting a sneaking choke while securing the back-mounted position of his opponent. Despite the will to survive of ‘CLD’, he was eventually forced to submit to the squeezing pressure of Allen, ending the match with just over two minutes remaining on the clock.

Brendan Allen just finished Christian Leroy Duncan in the fifth round 👀 #UFCVegas122 https://t.co/C6mhMf9OKP

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 11, 2026

Through this victory, Allen’s eighth win by submission in the UFC, he will most likely look at a jump in the rankings from his current spot of No. 5 at 185-pounds. Meanwhile, CLD will slip outside of the top ten rankings because of the loss, which served as his first career defeat by stoppage.

Following the victory, ‘All-In’ took his time on the mic during the post fight interview with UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping to call for a shot at division champion Sean Strickland, who was expected to face Nassourdine Imavov in December, but negotiations hit a stand-still when the organization failed to meet Strickland’s financial demands.

Failing to get a shot at the title in his next match, Allen seems happy to continue climbing towards the No. 1 contender slot, and he feels a fight with former champion Dricus Du Plessis will suffice for that purpose.

UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Duncan Full Results:

Main:

Brendan Allen def. Christian Leroy Duncan via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) – Round 5, 2:46
Jai Herbert def. Matheus Camilo via Decision (Unanimous)
Loopy Godinez def. Ketlen Souza via Decision (Unanimous))
Andre Fili def. Kai Kamaka III via KO (Head Kick) – Round 2, 0:22
Otari Tanzilovi def. Malcolm Wellmaker via KO (Head Kick) – Round 2, 2:39

Preliminary:

Julius Walker def. Gerald Meerschaert via TKO (Punches) – Round 2, 3:35
Francisco Prado def. Ismael Bonfim via KO (Punches) – Round 1, 4:32
Niko Price def. Leon Shahbazyan via TKO (Punches) – Round 1, 1:58
Brendson Ribeiro def. Felipe Franco via Submission (Guillotine Choke) – Round 1, 1:49
Allen Frye Jr. def. RJ Harris via KO (Punches) – Round 1, 2:59
Alice Pereira def. Daria Zhelezniakova via TKO (Retirement – Cut) – Round 1, 5:00
Ernesta Kareckaite vs. Melissa Gatto Ends in a Draw (Majority)