Allen backs Strickland's UFC pay fight after submitting Duncan at Vegas 122

Brendan Allen submitted Christian Leroy Duncan at UFC Vegas 122 on Saturday to extend his winning streak to four, then stepped to the post-fight microphone to voice quiet support for Sean Strickland’s ongoing battle with the UFC over fighter compensation.

Strickland, the reigning UFC middleweight champion, has been publicly critical of the promotion in recent weeks as he negotiates the first title defence of his second reign — a planned matchup against Nassourdine Imavov that has yet to be finalised. Allen, a former opponent of Strickland’s and a fellow middleweight contender, said the statistics back up the champion’s grievances, even if his own financial situation keeps him from joining the chorus.

“You’ll never hear me b*tch about my pay,” Allen said at the post-fight press conference. “But I’d love to have more money; who ain’t gonna want to have more money? So, the guys that don’t need to fight, that can speak up and make their case for more money, God bless you. I wish I could do that.”

Allen was candid about why he stops short of public criticism. “I ain’t trying to get cancelled, at least from the bosses. I like my paycheck; I need that sh*t,” he said, adding that his card collection and his house are still growing — tangible reminders of what the UFC income provides.

Despite his reluctance to push back on the promotion directly, Allen was unambiguous in his assessment of the broader picture. “If you look at the scope of things based on the statistics that are out there, we are underpaid,” he said, before crediting Strickland for being in a position to say so publicly. “Hats off to Sean for speaking for trying to get more money.”

The win over Duncan keeps Allen firmly in the middleweight title conversation. Strickland, meanwhile, remains in a standoff with the UFC as both sides work toward finalising his next defence.