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If Brendan Allen can close the book on a grudge match with a dominant performance followed by a UFC title win, then he will have fulfilled his goal for 2027.

It’s a tall task, but Allen has some momentum on his side with a three-fight winning streak. “All In” has beaten Marvin Vettori, Reinier de Ridder, and Edmen Shahbazyan in that span. He’ll look to make it four in a row when he meets Christian Leroy Duncan at UFC Vegas 122 on Saturday.

Speaking to MMAJunkie.com, Allen said that if he can get past Duncan, then he’d target a showdown with Dricus du Plessis in early 2027 before securing a UFC middleweight title shot.

“I want to fight in Q1 of next against hopefully Dricus,” Allen said. “Dog walk him, and then just sit and wait for my shot because at that point no one has earned it over me if I do that. But Christian’s first. All focus, all eyes, all thoughts are solely based around him. I think he’s going to come out the best he’s ever been.”

Allen and du Plessis have traded insults for quite some time, but the two have yet to share the Octagon. An impressive win over Duncan could bring that matchup closer to reality. As Allen mentioned, Duncan doesn’t figure to be an easy task this weekend. Allen is a slight betting favorite over “CLD,” who has won his last five outings and is looking to emerge as a new 185-pound contender.

At the moment, du Plessis’ next opponent hasn’t been determined. “Stillknocks” is coming off a unanimous decision win over Kamaru Usman in his first fight since losing the UFC Middleweight Championship to Khamzat Chimaev.

Do you think Brendan Allen gets his long-awaited grudge match against Dricus du Plessis in 2027, or will Christian Leroy Duncan ruin those plans? Sound off in the comments below.

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM