LAS VEGAS — In a classic display of championship endurance and elite grappling pedigree, top-ranked middleweight contender Brendan "All In" Allen put on a masterclass in championship rounds at UFC Vegas 122. Facing off against the explosive and unpredictable English striker Christian Leroy Duncan in the evening’s main event at the Meta APEX, Allen steadily dragged his opponent into deep waters before securing a definitive tapout via rear-naked choke in the waning moments of the fifth and final round.
The victory marks Allen’s fourth consecutive win inside the Octagon, solidifying his firm grip on a coveted top-five ranking in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s talent-rich middleweight division. For Duncan, commonly known as "CLD," the main event assignment served as a steep learning curve against one of the division’s most relentless submission artists, highlighting both his dynamic striking capabilities and the grueling nature of a full five-round UFC main event.
From the opening bell, the stylistic clash between Allen’s composed, grappling-heavy approach and Duncan’s chaotic, flashy striking was immediately apparent. Round 1 proved to be a tightly contested and competitive frame. Allen maintained a calm, methodical demeanor, looking to read his opponent’s unconventional rhythm, while Duncan eagerly pushed the pace and sought to make the fight as chaotic as possible.
Both athletes enjoyed successful moments during the initial five minutes. Duncan demonstrated his dangerous and diverse striking arsenal, landing sharp elbows and a brilliantly executed spinning attack that visibly stunned Allen and drew a roar from the Nevada crowd. However, Allen quickly demonstrated why he is considered one of the premier grapplers at 185 pounds. Capitalizing on a momentary opening, the 30-year-old American scored a crucial takedown, assumed dominant control on the canvas, and smoothly transitioned to take Duncan’s back. While Allen hunted aggressively for a rear-naked choke to close the show early, Duncan showed impressive defensive resilience to survive the opening frame.
If the first round belonged to a back-and-forth battle of contrasting styles, Round 2 signaled a definitive shift in momentum as Allen began to enforce his grappling-heavy game plan. The round also saw a pivotal turning point early on when Duncan was penalized and lost a point following an accidental eye poke.
Undeterred by the brief stoppage, Allen quickly resumed his offensive onslaught, racking up significant control time. As "All In" dragged the English fighter back down to the canvas, Duncan attempted a desperation guillotine choke, but Allen easily bypassed the submission attempt and methodically set to work. From dominant positions, Allen hunted relentlessly for submissions, transitioning fluidly from an arm-triangle choke to searching for another rear-naked choke. Though Duncan managed to weather the storm once more, the physical toll of defending against Allen’s heavy top pressure became glaringly apparent. Allen forced his opponent to carry his full weight for minutes on end, continuously landing ground-and-pound, drawing blood, and systematically draining the gas tank of the dangerous striker.
Entering the championship rounds, the structural dynamic of the main event favored the seasoned American veteran. In Rounds 3 and 4, Allen dictated the rhythm and geography of the fight, controlling the action seamlessly across both the striking and grappling realms. Rather than rushing in recklessly for a desperate finish that could expose him to Duncan’s explosive counters, Allen stayed remarkably composed. He mixed up his attacks, stunned "CLD" with calculated strikes on the feet, and periodically punctuated the rounds with timely takedowns that sapped whatever remaining energy Duncan had left.
By the time the fighters answered the bell for the fifth and final round, the accumulated fatigue, physical damage, and relentless pressure had clearly worn down the challenger. Following a brief and measured striking exchange on the feet to open the final frame, Allen secured the takedown he had been orchestrating throughout the latter half of the bout. With clinical precision, he swiftly transitioned to the back of a visibly exhausted Duncan and locked in a deep rear-naked choke. Duncan fought valiantly to peel the hands and escape the position, but the squeezing pressure and technical perfection of the choke proved to be entirely overwhelming, forcing the English contender to tap out at 2:46 of the fifth round.
The official decision cemented another stellar chapter in Allen’s ongoing climb toward a championship opportunity, demonstrating his ability to weather early adversity, execute a sophisticated game plan, and break his opponents down over twenty-five minutes of combat.
