Whittaker backs Allen vs Chimaev over du Plessis after UFC Vegas 122 submission win

Brendan Allen strengthened his middleweight title credentials at UFC Vegas 122 with a fifth-round submission of Christian Leroy Duncan, running his winning streak to four and improving his record to 11-2 since 2022. Despite Allen calling for a shot at champion Dricus du Plessis, former champion Robert Whittaker has a different opponent in mind.

Speaking on his MMArcade Podcast, Whittaker argued that Allen should instead target Khamzat Chimaev, citing a stylistic matchup that could expose weaknesses in the Chechen-Swedish fighter’s game.

“A curious matchup looking at it here that I would like to see would be Brendan Allen vs. Khamzat Chimaev because I think he negates the reach a bit, I think Brendan Allen’s more accomplished on the feet, but also his jiu-jitsu game might throw a spanner in the works in Chimaev’s dominant top control game,” Whittaker said.

Chimaev is searching for direction after suffering the first loss of his career — a defeat to Sean Strickland in his first middleweight title defence at UFC 328 in May. While Chimaev has expressed interest in an immediate rematch, Strickland appears more likely to face top contender Nassourdine Imavov — and even that is uncertain given Strickland’s publicised disputes with the UFC over his pay.

Whittaker’s suggestion also carries a secondary motive: keeping du Plessis available for a potential clash with Gregory Rodrigues, a matchup Whittaker believes would be a more natural and entertaining fit for the South African.

“Doesnt Dricus vs. Robocop sound way better?” Whittaker said. “It’ll be a beautiful slugfest at the highest level and that is something I want to tune in for. Neither guy is winning from that fight, they’re going to have to really whack it out.”

The broader middleweight picture remains unsettled while Strickland’s contractual standoff with the UFC continues. Movement at the top of the 185-pound division could come from Caio Borralho’s fight with Yousri Belgaroui at UFC 334 and Joe Pyfer’s meeting with Bo Nickal at UFC 335.

As for Whittaker himself, the Australian has firmly closed the door on a return to middleweight after moving up to light heavyweight. “Middleweight is behind me. I’m happy as a light heavyweight. The training and the lifestyle is just so much better,” he said, adding that enjoyment has become as important as results at this stage of his career.

Allen, meanwhile, continues to build one of the division’s most consistent records despite back-to-back losses to Anthony Hernandez and Nassourdine Imavov having complicated his path to a title shot.