Allen submits Duncan in fifth round to derail Briton's title hopes

Brendan Allen submitted Christian Leroy Duncan with a rear-naked choke in the fifth round of their UFC bout in Las Vegas on 11 October 2026, ending the Briton's run toward a title shot.

Duncan, 31, entered the fight on a five-fight winning streak and had said a convincing victory over Allen would put him in line for a title bout; he was ranked 10th in the UFC's middleweight standings after defeating Jared Cannonier in July.

The contest was back-and-forth throughout, with both fighters remaining in contention heading into the final round before Allen secured the submission and was awarded the victory.

Duncan outstruck Allen across the fight, landing 138 shots to Allen's 80, while Allen dominated most grappling exchanges; an eye poke in the second round resulted in a deducted point against Allen's opponent.

Allen recorded his eighth submission in the UFC with the finish, and the win moved his professional record to 28 wins and seven defeats as the promotion's fifth-ranked middleweight, while Duncan suffered the third loss of his 18-fight career.

After the fight Allen addressed title prospects, saying: "I think we'll be rewarded next," said Allen. "I'm doing what I need to do. Where's the champion? If not, where's Dricus [Du Plessis]? He's been running for a while."

In the co-main event Jai Herbert secured a unanimous decision victory over Matheus Camilo; the 38-year-old Herbert recorded his third win in four UFC fights, while Camilo suffered his second defeat in the promotion after winning his two previous bouts.

Allen said he is now targeting Sean Strickland's belt.