UFC Fight Night: Brendan Allen vs Edmen Shahbazyan Preview & Prediction
A ranked middleweight fight tests #4 contender Brendan Allen against the dangerous Edmen Shahbazyan in the co-main event.
Brendan Allen vs Edmen Shahbazyan facts
What time are Brendan Allen and Edmen Shahbazyan expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night: Muhammad vs Bonfim? Meta Apex, Enterprise, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night: Muhammad vs Bonfim? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 278
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night: Muhammad vs Bonfim on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night: Muhammad vs Bonfim? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night: Muhammad vs Bonfim main card
Belal Muhammad vs Gabriel Bonfim (Welterweight)
Brendan Allen vs Edmen Shahbazyan (Middleweight)
Fares Ziam vs Tom Nolan (Lightweight)
Bryce Mitchell vs Santiago Luna (Bantamweight)
Iwo Baraniewski vs Junior Tafa (Light Heavyweight)
UFC Fight Night: Muhammad vs Bonfim prelims
Matt Schnell vs Alessandro Costa (Catchweight - 130 lb)
Marcus McGhee vs John Yannis (Bantamweight)
Bruno Gustavo da Silva vs Edgar Chairez (Flyweight)
Priscila Cachoeira vs Chelsea Chandler (Women’s Bantamweight)
Jordan Leavitt vs Joanderson Brito (Featherweight)
Jeisla Chaves vs Yuneisy Duben (Women’s Flyweight)
Ketlen Souza vs Ariane Carnelossi (Women’s Strawweight)
Brendan Allen: Relentless contender knocking on the title door
Brendan Allen (26-7) sits #4 in the middleweight rankings and looks the best he ever has, following back-to-back wins over Marvin Vettori and a career-defining performance against Reinier de Ridder, whom he outworked so thoroughly that RDR’s corner pulled him out after the fourth round. He’s already avenged his early loss to Chris Curtis, and his only recent defeats have come against elite names in Imavov and Hernandez. Allen is a high-pace pressure fighter who blends wrestling seamlessly into his striking, has 14 career submissions, and is relentless on top with ground-and-pound and slick transitions. Nothing flashy on the feet, but no slouch either.
Edmen Shahbazyan: Heavy handed finisher rebuilding his stock
Edmen Shahbazyan (16-5) has frightening one-shot power, having stopped 13 of his 16 victims. “The Golden Boy” rides a three-fight win streak headlined by a first-round KO over Andre Muniz, but none of those wins came against ranked opposition, and those wins come after by a damaging submission loss to the infamous GM3 – not a great look… Edmen is a patient counter-striker who plays at range behind his kicks, keeping his volume low while stalking for the big left hook or straight right. He defends takedowns reasonably well, but his cardio and durability can be in question, and he’s been seen to fade late when he can’t find the finish.
Brendan Allen vs Edmen Shahbazyan prediction
This feels like a slight step down in competition for Allen, who’s only been losing to top-tier names. It doesn’t look great on record for Shahbazyan either, every meaningful loss on his record has come against a good grappler; Derek Brunson, Jack Hermansson, Anthony Hernandez, and GM3. Allen is precisely that, a relentless grappler with 14 career submissions.
Edmen’s path to victory is in his striking and power, but Allen’s striking isn’t worlds apart, and where Allen lacks on the feet, he more than makes it up with what he possesses on the mat. Shahbazyan wants a patient fight at range where he can pick his big shots, and Allen won’t grant him that luxury. Expect Allen to trudge forward, smother Shahbazyan, and turn this into a high-volume grind. Allen doesn’t just shoot takedowns without set up either, he’ll mix it into his striking, wear Shahbazyan down, and start hunting for the neck. He’s already proven he can push a championship pace, Allen is a lock here, and a cheeky submission wouldn’t surprise me at all.
Prediction: Brendan Allen to win by submission
