The submission specialist rewriting the history of UFC middleweights

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Brendan Allen isn't just winning fights; he is systematically dismantling the record books. By mastering a specific finishing technique, he has climbed into the top tier of historical rankings, becoming one of the most prolific submission artists to ever compete in the UFC's Middleweight division.

Brendan Allen's rise to the top of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is defined by a high-volume finishing rate. As of August 2026, he sits at #5 in the Meta UFC middleweight rankings. His success is rooted in a diverse foundation: he began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu at age 13 after watching his brother's classes, later adding wrestling and boxing during high school before competing in Mississippi.

Allen has established himself as a premier submission specialist, particularly through the rear-naked choke. He currently holds the second-most submissions in UFC Middleweight division history with six, trailing only Gerald Meerschaert. Furthermore, he is tied with Charles Oliveira for the fifth most rear-naked choke submissions in all of UFC history. His finishing ability is so potent that he ties with icons like Derek Brunson and Nate Marquardt for the third-most finishes in the middleweight division.

His resume includes two reigns as LFA Middleweight Champion, defeating Tim Hiley and Moses Murrietta. Since entering the UFC via Dana White's Contender Series 20 in 2019, Allen has secured numerous high-profile victories, including a submission win over Kevin Holland in his debut and a technical knockout against Reinier de Ridder in late 2025. His consistency has earned him multiple Performance of the Night awards and two Fight of the Night honors.

Beyond the cage, Allen's journey reflects a complex personal history. Born in Louisiana to Michelle and James Allen, he carries Canadian heritage through his maternal grandparents from Edmonton. While he is known for his combat prowess today, his early athletic life included playing college basketball for Connecticut between 2012 and 2013.

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