A pair of UFC middleweights both riding two-fight win streaks will face off in December.
On his official Instagram on Monday, Brendan Allen announced that he will be fighting No. 13 ranked middleweight Brad Tavares later this year. Shortly after, MMA Junkie reported that the fight would take place on December 4, at a yet-to-be-announced UFC event. A source close to the situation subsequently confirmed the fight to Cageside Press.
Allen (17-4) asked for a ranked opponent after his most recent win, and he got it. “All-in” is riding a two-fight win streak since losing for the first time in the UFC at the end of 2020. He defeated Karl Roberson at UFC 261 in April and then most recently became the first man to defeat Puna Soriano. Allen is 5-1 in the octagon, and a win in December will likely get him into the middleweight rankings.
Long-time UFC veteran Tavares (19-6) will be defending his spot in the rankings. After taking 2020 off, he also is riding a two-fight win streak. The Hawaiian defeated Antônio Carlos Júnior at UFC 257 to kick off his 2021 and then defeated Omari Akhmedov at UFC 264.
No location, venue, or broadcast plan has been officially announced for the December 4 event, but UFC President Dana White said that all Fight Nights would be staying at the Apex in Las Vegas, NV.
The December 4 fight card now includes the following reported bouts:
- Jimmy Crute vs. Jamahal Hill
- Chris Gruetzemacher vs. Claudio Puelles
- Rafael Fiziev vs. Brad Riddell
- Montserrat Ruiz vs. Mallory Martin
- Brendan Allen vs. Brad Tavares
