To put more spice on the matchup, the bout is a rematch dating back to the pair’s days on the regional scene. The first bout between the two came under the LFA banner in January 2018 when Hernandez won the promotion’s middleweight belt in a five-round decision. The pair had a total of 14 pro MMA bouts to their names at that point. Now, with both entrenched in the Top 15, they collide to cement themselves as the Top 10 threat to watch for in 2025.
Allen had buckets of momentum heading into 2024 and scored a main event win against Chris Cutis in April. However, Imavov snapped his seven-fight winning streak in Paris, where Allen seemed a bit flat. A win in Seattle, though, could put “All In” back on track as he tries to climb the division’s ladder. On the other hand, Hernandez is one of the hottest fighters outside the Top 10 in any division. The Dana White’s Contender Series alumnus turned things around in a big way after registering a 1-2 record with one no contest in his first four trips to the Octagon. Fluffy” has won six fights on the bounce, including five finishes, and most recently got his hand raised in his first main event against Michel Pereira in October 2024.
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The matchup should feature fascinating grappling exchanges, as the two boast 22 submissions between them, and they’ve shown increased comfort on the feet, as well. While the winner may not get a title shot immediately, they’ll set themselves up for a shot at one of the bigger names in the division midway through 2025.
It’s a fun time in the middleweight division heading into February 2025. The championship carousel stopped for the time being thanks to Du Plessis, but the stability of his title run will come under fire in a big way. Regardless of who wins, the 185-pound deck is getting shuffled in a big way, and the action should be thrilling all month long.
