Belal Muhammad Reveals Brendan Allen Fought Through Staph Infection at UFC Vegas 122
Belal Muhammad revealed Brendan Allen battled a staph infection during fight week before submitting Christian Leroy Duncan at UFC Vegas 122.
Brendan Allen's fifth-round submission of Christian Leroy Duncan at UFC Vegas 122 on Saturday night was impressive enough on its own. Turns out he did it while battling a staph infection.
Allen's teammate Belal Muhammad revealed the news on social media Sunday, sharing photos and video of Allen dealing with the infection during fight week. "What people don't know is Brendan was dealing with a staph infection since Tuesday of fight week," Muhammad wrote. "Had to get on antibiotics, still has 5 days left on them, and despite all that adversity, went out there and got the finish."
Muhammad described the infection as "a hole in his back." Video he posted showed Allen moving stiffly and walking gingerly through fight week, per MMA Mania. The photos made it clear this was a severe case.
None of it stopped Allen from putting on a 22-minute performance against one of the division's rising contenders. After four competitive rounds, Allen locked in a rear-naked choke in the fifth to secure the victory and collect a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
"Never complained, never made excuses, just found a way to win," Muhammad wrote. "That's the heart of a champion. Proud of my brother."
Allen, who trains alongside Muhammad at Kill Cliff FC, extended his win streak and strengthened his case as the top contender at 185 pounds. He has been vocal about wanting a title shot, calling out both middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis and interim titleholder Sean Strickland in the aftermath of Saturday's main event.
Staph infections are no joke. I've talked to enough fighters to know that a bad case of staph can make you feel like your body is shutting down, and this one hit Allen on Tuesday of fight week. Most guys would have pulled out, and nobody would have blamed them.
Instead, Allen went five hard rounds against a guy who was supposed to be the next big thing at middleweight and finished him. That tells you everything you need to know about where this man's head is at. The UFC better stop playing around and give him the title shot. He's earned it on the merits, and now he's earned it on sheer toughness too.
