Brendan "All In" Allen might have his sights firmly set on a championship clash with current middleweight kingpin Dricus du Plessis, but former champion Robert Whittaker believes the surging contender is barking up the wrong tree. Instead of pursuing the reigning titleholder, Whittaker argues that Allen would be better served focusing his competitive energy on a high-stakes showdown against Khamzat Chimaev, a stylistic challenge that could completely reshape the upper echelon of the UFC’s 185-pound division.
Allen reinforced his reputation as one of the toughest and most resilient outs in the talent-rich middleweight division this past Saturday, delivering a stellar performance that culminated in a fifth-round submission victory over streaking contender Christian Leroy Duncan. The hard-fought win adds yet another impressive accolade to Allen’s increasingly busy resume. Over the past few years, the American grappler has established himself as a divisional force, putting together an impressive four-fight winning streak and boasting a remarkable 11-2 record dating back to 2022.
Despite his undeniable consistency and activity inside the Octagon, Allen finds himself in a curious and somewhat frustrating professional limbo. High-profile setbacks against elite contenders like Anthony Hernandez and Nassourdine Imavov have left the UFC matchmakers seemingly hesitant about what to do next with the surging contender, even as Allen campaigns aggressively for a long-awaited title shot against du Plessis.
Addressing the state of the division on his popular MMArcade Podcast, Whittaker offered a fresh perspective on how the middleweight landscape should unfold, suggesting that Allen bypass the champion entirely for the time being and instead square off against the man who famously dominated du Plessis in a title fight at UFC 319.
Offering a detailed breakdown of the hypothetical pairing, Whittaker explained why an Allen-Chimaev matchup makes a tremendous amount of sense from both a competitive and entertainment standpoint. A curious matchup looking at it here that Whittaker would like to see would be Brendan Allen versus Khamzat Chimaev, primarily because Whittaker believes Allen possesses the physical attributes and technical savvy to negate Chimaev’s notorious reach advantage to a certain degree. Furthermore, Whittaker pointed out that Allen is considerably more accomplished on the feet, while noting that Allen’s elite-level jiu-jitsu game might throw a significant spanner in the works against Chimaev’s historically dominant top-control grappling game.
For Chimaev, a matchup against a submission threat like Allen could offer a vital path forward. The undefeated powerhouse is currently in desperate need of a marquee fight following a deeply disappointing performance in his first career title defense against Sean Strickland at UFC 328 this past May. That championship setback marked the very first defeat of Chimaev’s professional career, instantly removing his aura of absolute invulnerability. While Chimaev has expressed a strong desire to run it back immediately with Strickland to avenge the loss, matchmaking realities suggest otherwise. It appears significantly more likely that Strickland will instead be steered toward a rematch against top-tier contender Nassourdine Imavov—assuming, of course, that Strickland steps back into the Octagon at all, given his well-documented and public grievances with the UFC regarding fighter compensation and pay structures.
Beyond the stylistic intrigue of an Allen versus Chimaev clash, Whittaker has another strategic reason for wanting to see the bout booked. Removing Allen from the immediate title picture and pairing him with Chimaev would keep the reigning champion, "DDP," open for a potential blockbuster matchup against Gregory Rodrigues. Whittaker views Rodrigues as a wildly entertaining, fan-friendly stylistic matchup for du Plessis that would deliver fireworks for the fans.
Raising the rhetorical question to his listeners, Whittaker pondered whether a collision between Dricus and "Robocop" sounded vastly more appealing. In his view, it would undoubtedly shape up to be a beautiful, high-level slugfest—the kind of pure combat sports theater that he himself would eagerly tune in to watch. Whittaker noted that neither competitor would escape that kind of matchup unscathed, as both men would be forced to genuinely stand their ground and trade heavy leather at the highest level of the sport.
Until the ongoing contractual and financial issues surrounding Sean Strickland and his relationship with the UFC are fully resolved, the absolute peak of the 185-pound division remains temporarily deadlocked. However, a handful of upcoming high-stakes matchups loom large on the horizon and could easily shake up the divisional hierarchy in the near future. Notably, Caio Borralho is scheduled to face Yousri Belgaroui at UFC 334, while Joe Pyfer prepares to lock horns with collegiate wrestling standout Bo Nickal at UFC 335, bringing fresh momentum to the weight class.
Given the widespread uncertainty and shifting dynamics currently defining the middleweight landscape, it is natural to wonder whether a seasoned veteran like Whittaker ever contemplates how he would fare if he chose to drop back down from light heavyweight to test himself against this new crop of hungry contenders. However, Whittaker is quick to dismiss any notion of a return to 185 pounds, making it abundantly clear that chapter of his legendary career is firmly closed.
Reflecting on his transition to the heavier weight class, Whittaker admitted that he simply does not look at his career through that lens anymore. Middleweight is completely behind him, and he feels profoundly happy competing as a light heavyweight. The daily grind of training, the rigorous weight-cutting process, and the overall lifestyle at 205 pounds are drastically better for his well-being. For Whittaker, enjoying his day-to-day life and maintaining his physical health have become far more important at this stage of his career than almost anything else. Winning, progressing, and steadily pushing forward toward ultimate competitive goals remain vital objectives of his professional career as a whole, but finding genuine joy in the journey and the everyday ride takes precedence. Furthermore, he cherishes the ability to bring his children along for the entire experience, sharing the adventure with his family.
Looking back on his storied tenure in the division he once ruled, Whittaker acknowledged his history, noting that he was a middleweight who sat comfortably at the top of the food chain for a very long time alongside many of these same athletes. He remains deeply proud of the body of work he compiled during his dominant run in the division. But ultimately, he is completely at peace with the fact that that specific chapter is finished, the page has officially been turned, and he is a light heavyweight now.
