Brendan Allen last entered the octagon at UFC Fight Night 240 in April when he defeated Chris Curtis via a controversial split decision that went his way after his opponent suffered a Grade 3 hamstring tear in the final seconds. He is set to make his return against Nassourdine Imavov in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 243 this weekend.
'All In' recently called out the rankings panel for dropping two spots in the rankings since his last bout. Speaking to Mike Heck Jr. of MMA Fighting, the No.8-ranked middleweight claimed:
"It's crazy, man, I'm the only guy on the win streak that I'm on that falls places in the rankings when guys above me are on losses or consecutive losses. I don't even know, but I know there are losses so it's just whatever. It's kind of comical at this point. I don't know."
Allen continued:
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"I don't even know who's on the board panel, but if anyone told me they were on the rankings, I just would never have a conversation with them. Ever. Like I'd literally tell them to go f**k themselves because, to me, they're ret**ded, but whatever."
Check out Brendan Allen's comments on the UFC rankings below (10:26):
While Allen is on a seven-fight win streak and Imavov has won just two in a row, the latter is four slots higher in the middleweight rankings. 'All In's' slip is attributed to multiple fighters, including his No.4-ranked opponent, beating contenders who were ahead of him in the rankings.
Brendan Allen claims Robert Whittaker is holding up the middleweight division
Brendan Allen recently called out Robert Whittaker, accusing him of holding up the middleweight division. During a recent appearance on Spinnin Backfist MMA Show, Allen accused 'The Reaper' of acting unaware of who he was to avoid a potential clash before claiming:
"I understand his perspective of keep pushing for a title, but I mean, I think he's beat, what, two guys that weren't even the top-five and now you're calling for a title shot against the champion that you've already had an opportunity to fight and you got finished. I think he's a really good fighter. He has a great resume, but I just think it's time to kind of pass the torch a little bit for the guys that can be there for a while."
Allen continued:
"I just don't like the point of champions who are almost at the end of their career, they're just trying to get it one more crack to then retire. It kind of just holds the division up for guys that can potentially be champion for a long time... Still respect him as a fighter. I don't mean to be disrespectful. I just kind of think it's not his time anymore. As I grow, I feel it's my time or a guy like me's time."
Check out Brendan Allen's comments on Robert Whittaker below:
It is hard to make the case that Whittaker is holding up the division as he has already fought twice this year. The No.3-ranked middleweight is set to return at UFC 308 next month when he faces Khamzat Chimaev in a middleweight title eliminator. It marks his first time entering the octagon three times in a calendar year since 2014.