Brendan Allen submits Christian Leroy Duncan in fifth round in Las Vegas

Brendan Allen defeated Christian Leroy Duncan by submission in the fifth round of their UFC middleweight contest in Las Vegas, ending the British fighter's five-fight winning streak. BBC Sport reported that Allen finished the bout with a rear-naked choke after a competitive encounter in which both men entered the final round still seeking victory.

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The result gave Allen a fourth successive win and moved his professional record to 28 victories and seven defeats. The 30-year-old American, who entered the contest ranked fifth in the division, also recorded his eighth UFC submission. For Duncan, the loss interrupted a run that had brought him into contention for a possible championship opportunity.

Duncan, 31, had approached the fight with ambitions of challenging for the title next if he could produce a convincing win. He was ranked 10th among UFC middleweights after defeating former title challenger Jared Cannonier in July. Instead, he left Las Vegas with the third defeat of his 18-fight professional career and his third loss in 11 UFC appearances.

The striking numbers favoured Duncan, but Allen's work on the ground proved more decisive. According to BBC Sport, Duncan landed 138 shots compared with Allen's 80 and was the more active striker throughout the contest. Allen nevertheless had the better of most grappling exchanges, ultimately turning that advantage into the submission that settled the fight.

A second-round eye poke also complicated Duncan's position, bringing a one-point deduction. The BBC assessed that he probably needed a finish in the last round as a result. That remained an assessment rather than a confirmed verdict from the judges, and Allen's stoppage meant the contest did not require a decision.

Afterwards, Allen expressed hope that his winning run would earn him a shot at Sean Strickland's championship. He also mentioned Dricus du Plessis as a potential opponent. Those comments outlined Allen's preferred next steps, rather than an announced booking for either matchup.

The co-main event produced a win for another British fighter, Jai Herbert. The 38-year-old lightweight beat Brazil's Matheus Camilo by unanimous decision for his third victory in four UFC fights. Camilo had won his previous two appearances but suffered his second defeat in the promotion.