Which Contender Has the Best Chance Against the Middleweight Champ?
The Middleweight Division was flipped on its head last night after Brendan Allen stepped in on short notice to dominate Reiner de Ridder over four rounds. Allen was a large underdog going into this fight, and despite that still made de Ridder quit on the stool before the start of the fifth. Moments like these have the power to turn the tide of who receives a title shot in any division within the UFC. Just a few weeks early, Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho went the full five in a brutal brawl that delivered Caio his first loss in the UFC. Neither man was finished, however, a distinct difference from Allen’s performance last night.
If any of you caught the most recent title fight at middleweight, you’ll know that the current champion, Khamzat Chimaev, is one of the greatest fighters ever to compete in the octagon. His takedowns are quick, and his ability to move through positions is seamless. If there was ever going to be someone who could beat an opponent like him, it would have to be someone with extraordinary grappling. In light of this, three contenders who fit that exact description have risen to the occasion and have laid claim to the title. Brendan Allen, Anthony Hernandez, and Nassourdine Imavov have shown themselves to be the best grapplers this division can offer. Each man offers a different way to subdue Chimaev’s wrestling, but which has the best chance?
In my personal opinion, when the last fights of each of the three top contenders are broken down, only one fighter stands out amongst the crowd. Hernandez is on an eight-fight win streak and has dominated nearly all of his victories. Striking, wrestling, and jiujitsu are all on par with the best in the world. His total victory over Allen has aged beautifully, as seen by Allen’s own dominant victory over de Ridder. The only question that remains is if Hernandez will have to fight once more before he receives a title shot. Originally, Hernandez was set to face off with de Ridder, but was forced to pull out due to injury. If Hernandez is forced to fight once more before his title shot arrives, who do you think should get a chance before him? Imavov, Allen, or someone else entirely?
