UFC middleweight contender Brendan Allen is not impressed by Nassourdine Imavov's alleged decision not to share the cage over 25 minutes next month.
Allen will head to enemy territory to throw down with a fellow up-and-comer at 185 pounds in Imavov at the Paris-held UFC Fight Night on September 28. The pair will co-headline the event, much to the American's frustration.
The #7-ranked contender initially publicly rejected the France assignment owing to the fact that the promotion wasn't looking to have him and Imavov headline. Allen was evidently convinced to compete on the undercard of Renato Moicano vs. Benoît Saint Denis, but he remains frustrated at one stipulation.
With five-round co-main events becoming more common, Allen says he pushed for that against "The Sniper," but the Frenchman refused. Having had three of his last four outings scheduled for 25 minutes, the 28-year-old is not pleased about Imavov's apparent reluctance to prepare for the longer distance...
Allen Tells Imavov: You Want To Fight For The Title? 5 Rounds Is How You Do It
During a recent interview with MMA News' Ryan Jarrell, Allen looked ahead to his second Octagon appearance of 2024, which comes a few months on from his memorable victory over Chris Curtis in their barnburner at the Apex.
That result added to "All In's" five-round experience, and Imavov isn't short on it himself having gone the 25-minute distance with both Sean Strickland and Roman Dolidze, as well as recently entering a fourth frame with Jared Cannonier prior to the TKO stoppage.
Despite that, though, Allen says the three-round stipulation for the Paris co-main event is entirely down to Imavov and his team, a decision he has a firm view on.
Some people just need all the deck in their favor to try to win. But it's not gonna be enough. I'm still gonna win," Allen told MMA News. "I accepted the five rounds; I asked for the five rounds. I've heard the explanations but I still don't agree or understand it. But it's above my pay grade. I think it's bullsh*t that 10 and 12 guys are main event over four and seven, where we have title contentions possibly surrounding our fight.
I think it's kind of a b*tch move that he (Imavov) doesn't want to accept five rounds. Even as a co-main, he doesn't want to accept five rounds," Allen continued. "You wanna fight for the belt? You wanna stake your claim? Like, that's how you do it. You go out there and win a five-round fight, even if it doesn't go five rounds. ... I don't fully understand his reasoning, but I understand their logic. Some people just need all the cards in their favor as much as possible.
Regardless, Allen will still be looking to deliver a standout performance in the French capital to stake his claim for a long-awaited first shot at title glory on mixed martial arts' biggest stage.
Having already won seven straight, perhaps the addition of the #4-ranked contender to his ever-growing résumé is the piece of the puzzle Allen needs to secure his spot opposite the champion next time out.