Brendan Allen had staph infection before UFC win, teammate says

Brendan Allen battled a staph infection during fight week before submitting Christian Leroy Duncan in the Ultimate Fighting Championship main event at UFC Vegas 122 on Saturday, according to teammate Belal Muhammad.

Former UFC welterweight champion Muhammad said Allen had been dealing with the infection since Tuesday and required antibiotics before competing at Meta Apex in Las Vegas on Oct. 10.

Allen (28-7) submitted Duncan (15-3) with a fifth-round rear-naked choke for his fourth consecutive victory. Muhammad said Allen still had five days left on his course of antibiotics after the bout.

“What people don’t know is Brendan was dealing with a staph infection since Tuesday of fight week,” Muhammad wrote on X. “Had to get on antibiotics, still has 5 days left on them, and despite all that adversity, went out there and got the finish. Never complained, never made excuses, just found a way to win. That’s the heart of a champion. Proud of my brother.”

Allen earned a Performance of the Night bonus for the submission and called out former champion Dricus du Plessis for his next bout.