Brendan Allen Calls for Title Eliminator After Submission Win Over Paul Craig

Brendan Allen has laid claim to the No. 1 contender spot at middleweight after his submission win over Paul Craig in the main event at UFC Fight Night 232 on Saturday.

Allen thoroughly dominated Craig from the outset of their bout, notching nearly eight minutes of control time over the course of two rounds before submitting him in the third. “All In” improved his winning streak to six, five of which have come via rear-naked chokes.

Allen called for a title eliminator next in his Octagon interview, targeting top contenders Robert Whittaker, Jared Cannonier and Khamzat Chimaev.

“I think I deserve it; I’ve earned it,” he said. “I’ve beat everyone they put in front of me, I finished them. Whoever the UFC says that is, I don’t care who. Whittaker, Cannonier, ‘C—shot,’ I don’t care. I’m trying to fight, man. I’m the No. 1 contender. I’m the best in the world, I’m here to prove it. If you say otherwise, come show me, don’t tell me.”

Allen reiterated his callout at the post-fight press conference while clarifying that he has no preference for opponents. “All In” also shared that as much as he likes fighting, nothing tops his love for his daughters and family. If things work out as planned, Allen plans on hanging up his gloves by the age of 35 to devote all his time to his loved ones.

“This is just a means to an end,” he said. “Fighting, yeah, I love to do it, it feels great. I’m super competitive, I’m very blessed, I’m very thankful to be here but it’s a means to an end. I know what I want, I know what my final vision is for my life and their life. And the moment I make that happen is the moment I walk out of here no matter what happens. I know if everything plays out right, by 35 I’m gone. I’ll go ahead and say it now, you all can put it on the record --- I’ll walk out of here with a loss and I’ll never look back whatsoever.”