Here’s the cold, hard truth: Brendan Allen is calling out Dricus Du Plessis for what he sees as cowardice, and it’s sparking a fiery debate in the MMA world. But here’s where it gets controversial—is Du Plessis really dodging the fight, or is Allen overstepping his bounds? Let’s dive in.
Brendan Allen, a dominant force in the 185-pound division with a record of 26-7 (14-4 in the UFC), is fed up with the back-and-forth banter and wants Dricus Du Plessis to step into the octagon. Allen has been vocal about his desire to face the former champion, but despite Du Plessis’s online jabs, the South African hasn’t bitten. Allen believes this matchup is the logical next step, and he’s not holding back his frustration.
‘If you’re going to talk the talk, you’ve got to walk the walk,’ Allen told MMA Junkie Radio, addressing Du Plessis directly. ‘When I’m on a winning streak, he’s silent. But the moment I stumble, he’s quick to chirp.’ Allen pointed out Du Plessis’s recent unanimous decision loss to Khamzat Chimaev, where he not only dropped the UFC middleweight title but also ended an 11-fight winning streak. ‘You got dominated, plain and simple,’ Allen added. ‘At this level, you don’t just lose—you fight back. Period.’ This bold statement raises a question: Is Allen right, or is he underestimating Du Plessis’s resilience?
Allen’s recent performance backs his confidence. Coming off a stunning upset over former two-division ONE Championship champion Reinier de Ridder in October, he’s proven he’s a force to be reckoned with. Before that, he snapped a two-fight losing streak with a decisive win over Marvin Vettori. Meanwhile, Du Plessis’s last outing in August left fans and critics questioning his next move. But here’s the part most people miss—Du Plessis is still a former champion, and champions don’t stay down for long.
The division itself is in flux, adding another layer of complexity. With fighters like Nassourdine Imavov and Khamzat Chimaev in the mix, the timeline for title contention is unclear. ‘The division is funky right now,’ Allen admitted. ‘Chimaev’s inactivity is a wildcard, and Imavov’s next move is anyone’s guess.’ He’s eager to stay active, targeting a return by late March or early April. ‘If Du Plessis won’t step up, I’ll defend my spot like I always do,’ he declared. But is Allen being too aggressive, or is he simply calling out what everyone’s thinking?
The tension between these two fighters isn’t just about rankings—it’s personal. Allen accuses Du Plessis of ‘ducking’ and making excuses, while Du Plessis remains silent on the challenge. Is this a case of one fighter avoiding a tough matchup, or is Allen overplaying his hand? Weigh in below—do you think Du Plessis should accept the fight, or is Allen out of line? The MMA community is split, and the debate is only heating up.
