Allen has established himself as one of the most dangerous submission artists in the middleweight division. With 12 submission victories and a relentless grappling style, he poses a serious threat to anyone who can't keep the fight standing.
Shahbazyan burst onto the scene with devastating knockouts and was once considered a future champion. While he's hit some setbacks, his striking power remains elite and makes him dangerous in any exchange.
Our AI simulation favors Brendan Allen at 58% due to his superior grappling (A+ grade) and cardio advantages. Shahbazyan's 42% reflects his devastating knockout power, but his vulnerability to takedowns and submissions is a significant concern against a grappler of Allen's caliber.
Brendan Allen has a 73-inch reach while Edmen Shahbazyan has a 74-inch reach, giving Shahbazyan a 1-inch reach advantage. Both fighters stand at 6'2", making this a very evenly matched physical contest at middleweight.
Brendan Allen has superior grappling credentials with a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and 12 submission wins. Edmen Shahbazyan is more of a striker with devastating knockout power but has shown vulnerability when taken down and controlled.
No, Edmen Shahbazyan is not undefeated. After starting his career 11-0, he has suffered several losses including defeats to Derek Brunson and Jack Hermansson. His current record is 13-4-0.
The key factor for Brendan Allen is getting the fight to the ground early and often. His submission game is elite, and Shahbazyan's takedown defense has been suspect in past fights. Allen needs to avoid Shahbazyan's early blitz and implement his grappling game plan.