The middleweight division has been perhaps the most-discussed weight class in entire the UFC in 2024 with a new champion being crowned in January and a handful of new contenders emerging as possible future title threats.

A 185-pound matchup between Nassourdine Imavov and Brendan Allen is featured in the UFC Paris co-main event this weekend and the winner will be one step closer to challenging for the belt in the future.

France’s Imavov has moved up to the No. 4 contender spot in the division after defeating Roman Dolidze and Jared Cannonier earlier this year. He’ll have the home crowd on his side at Accor Arena against Allen.

“This is my third fight in seven months in the Top 10,” Imavov said via ufc.com this week. “I don’t know if someone achieved that before. I think that getting this win would put me as a serious contender for the belt. I’m not like the other ones claiming on social media that they deserve the belt or whatever. I’m just coming into the Octagon, fighting and showing people why I deserve the belt.”

Allen sits at No. 8 in the rankings and has won seven fights in a row, including a split decision over Chris Curtis in April. The 28-year-old who trains out of Kill Cliff FC in Florida is the underdog entering enemy territory aiming to silence the crowd.

“He is the favourite for whatever the reason may be,” Allen said. “We can go on about his resume, his accolades or whatever, but for whatever the case may be, he's the favourite. I'm going to beat him in his hometown. I'm going to beat him in front of his people, and I'm going to do it very convincingly.”

This event marks the third consecutive September card held in Paris. Saturday’s card is headlined by a lightweight contest between Benoit Saint Denis and Renato Moicano.

Imavov, Allen have huge opportunity in UFC Paris co-main event

NHL Newsletter

Blue Jays Newsletter

Raptors Newsletter

Informative

Service Plus

Marketing

Sponsored

Contest

Event

Affiliate