Brendan Allen extended his winning streak to four fights on October 10 by securing a late, fifth-round submission victory against Christian Leroy Duncan in the main event of UFC Vegas 122. While the grueling 22-minute battle at the Meta Apex originally looked like a standard tactical clash, a sudden post-fight disclosure has changed how the MMA community views the performance.
Former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad posted footage online exposing a severe, behind-the-scenes medical emergency that Allen hid from the public all week.
Belal Muhammad Reveals Brendan Allen’s Fight-Week Staph Infection Battle
Muhammad and Allen share a solid bond as long-time teammates who train together at Valle Flow Striking in Chicago under head coach Mike Valle. For his recent training camps, Allen traveled to Illinois to train alongside the former welterweight champion.
After the event, Muhammad shed light on the situation by sharing a video on his X handle that showed Allen limping into a hospital emergency room check-in during fight week. The clip confirmed that the No. 5-ranked middleweight fought through a severe staph infection.
“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 five 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.”
What people don’t know is Brendan was dealing with a staph infection since Tuesday of fight week. 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
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) October 11, 2026
The infection drained Allen’s energy. Staph bacteria usually enters through cuts and scrapes from training on the mats. Dealing with the illness while taking heavy antibiotics makes it almost impossible for a fighter to recover, especially during a tough weight cut. Because of this, the 30-year-old Allen fought without his usual gas tank, and Duncan made him work for every single exchange.
Marc Goddard Explains Christian Leroy Duncan’s Point Deduction
However, the bout also saw drama in the second round when referee Marc Goddard deducted a point from Duncan for an eye poke. It drew mixed reactions online, prompting the official to explain his decision on social media.
“As referees we go over the rules one to one with fighters in the back before the fight begins, here we specifically cover potential eyes pokes,” Goddard wrote on X. “If you watch you will hear me warn CLD in round one for outstretched fingers toward the face. I then again, before the start of the next round, ask him to be careful & mindful of the hands. It is then when the eye poke occurs do I take definitive action.”
I’d like to offer some clarity on this as I believe it’s a teachable moment & gives insight into what we are doing as officials to overcome certain obstacles.
As referees we go over the rules one to one with fighters in the back before the fight begins, here we specifically cover potential eyes pokes. If you watch you will hear me warn CLD in round one for outstretched fingers toward the face. I then again, before the start of the next round, ask him to be careful & mindful of the hands. It is then when the eye poke occurs do I take definitive action.
CLD is a credit to the sport of MMA & an exceptional athlete. There’s so much more,
mechanically to addressing eye pokes in MMA both preventatively (before the action) and correctively (after the action) it is very hard to expect an athlete to change 20 years of training & habit with a few minutes of conversation pre fight. Just know that both myself and my colleagues know it is a firm priority to address & fix this.All respect to the athletes & our sport. Thank you.
— Marc Goddard (@marcgoddard_uk) October 11, 2026
Although the penalty did not change the final result, it gave an exhausted Allen a needed cushion on the scorecards. By the fourth round, Duncan completely took over the striking in the contest.
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Allen went back to his strengths. He secured a critical takedown, took Duncan’s back and locked in the rear-naked choke at the 2:46 mark. The gritty performance earned Allen a special $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
