Imagine the frustration building up in a fighter who's been grinding in the UFC middleweight scene, only to find the guy he's targeting keeps dodging the real showdown with clever words instead of action. That's the fiery tension Brendan Allen is feeling right now, as he openly challenges Dricus Du Plessis to step up and prove his mettle in the octagon. But here's where it gets controversial: Is Du Plessis really 'ducking' a fight, or is there a smarter strategy at play behind the scenes? Let's dive into this heated rivalry and unpack the details, making sure even newcomers to MMA can follow along easily.
Brendan Allen, sporting an impressive record of 26 wins and 7 losses in mixed martial arts—with 14 wins and 4 defeats specifically under the UFC banner—is a rising force at 185 pounds. He's been vocal for quite some time about wanting to clash with the ex-champion Dricus Du Plessis, whose own stats stand at 23 wins, 3 losses, and 9 wins against 1 defeat in UFC fights. While Du Plessis has noticed Allen and even thrown some jabs his way on social media and in interviews, that hasn't translated into agreeing to a matchup. Allen believes this fight is practically inevitable given the current landscape of the division.
'Looking at the rankings and how the middleweight contenders are ranked right now, it's just the logical next step,' Allen shared during his chat on MMA Junkie Radio. 'He's got plenty to say about me, but curiously, he only pipes up when I'm not doing well. When I'm on a hot streak, he goes quiet as a mouse in a library. And now, with my two straight wins, he's suddenly all talk again. Come on, buddy—you got absolutely crushed in that last bout. It wasn't just a loss; you were totally dominated. You barely threw a punch back. That kind of thing shouldn't fly at the top level, no matter your status as a former champ or a current contender. If you're the number one guy, you fight fire with fire. So, we'll have to wait and see if he steps up like a real man or keeps hiding behind his keyboard.'
To put this in perspective for beginners, think of it like a playground dispute where one kid keeps taunting from afar but runs away when it's time to push and shove. Allen's recent performances back up his confidence: He shocked the world with a victory over the former two-division ONE Championship titleholder Reinier de Ridder back in October, and before that, he bounced back from a couple of setbacks by edging out Marvin Vettori in a decision. On the flip side, Du Plessis's last outing was in August, where he dropped a unanimous decision to Khamzat Chimaev, losing his UFC middleweight belt and snapping an 11-fight winning run that had everyone talking.
Allen isn't hiding his unease about this standoff with Du Plessis and the unpredictable vibe in the 185-pound division. What he is sure about is his need to keep fighting regularly. 'I want to remain in the thick of it,' he explained. 'Fingers crossed, we could see me back in action by late March or early April, but it all depends on who else is game. The division feels a bit messy right now. We've got Nassourdine Imavov and Chimaev lined up to go at it at some point—who knows when that might actually happen? Chimaev's career hasn't exactly been packed with fights due to injuries, personal reasons, or whatever else, so it's unclear how he'll handle being champ. He's not off to a smooth start, if you ask me. Let's set those two aside for now.'
'And this is the part most people miss: Then there's Du Plessis, along with guys like Anthony Hernandez (nicknamed Fluffly) and Sean Strickland, who are reportedly in discussions for bouts. That leaves pretty much just me and Dricus available. I've been pushing for this match for ages, but it feels like he's avoiding it and coming up with reasons not to. So, yeah, time will tell if he's up for it. If not, I'll just keep holding my ground like I always do.'
Now, here's the juicy controversy: Allen's accusation that Du Plessis is 'ducking' the fight could be seen as bold trash talk or a fair critique, depending on who you ask. Is Du Plessis prioritizing his career wisely by avoiding potential mismatches, or is he chickening out after his recent setback? And what about the broader division—should champions like Chimaev be held to higher standards of activity? Do you think Allen deserves this fight, or is there someone else who should be prioritized? Share your thoughts in the comments below—do you side with Allen's frustration, or do you see a counterpoint here that we've missed? Let's get the conversation going!
