Brendan Allen values his friendship with Khamzat Chimaev, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't fight him.
Allen (28-7 MMA, 16-4 UFC) is knocking on the door of a UFC middleweight title opportunity after extending his current winning streak to four with a submission win over Christian Leroy Duncan in the main event of UFC Fight Night 290.
Allen's friend and former champion Chimaev (15-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) is above him in the rankings and could find his way into another shot at the title first, which could make for an awkward situation. However, Allen says he has already discussed what would happen if it ever comes down to a title fight against Chimaev.
"We have the agreement that we're not gonna fight each other unless it's for gold," Allen told MMA Junkie Radio. "So, if it's for the belt, then we're gonna fight. At least for me, I don't have the fame, the financial security to be able to sit there and be like, 'Nah.' I have to.
"Fighting for the belt changes my life, and it changes my family's life. So, everyone that I've ever come in contact with knows that about me: if it's for a belt, there's no questions that's gonna be asked from my end."
Friends crossing paths at the top of their division isn't new. Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili famously refused to fight each other for years while Sterling was on a run atop the UFC's bantamweight division, drawing criticism from Dana White and fans alike. However, if the middleweight title picture unfolds with Chimaev as champion and Allen as the next challenger, nothing would stand in the way of a fight.
In fact, Allen would almost prefer to take on a friend, because he knows that at the end of the day, someone's life will improve due to the title victory.
"I'm sorry, we're gonna have to figure it out, but to me, the belt changes whoever's life wins it," Allen said. "So, if it's a guy that I respect and like, and care about, then f*ck it. We just gotta do it because it could change his family's life, and if I care about him, if we're friends, then I would want that for him. If someone has to beat me, I'd rather it be my friend."
While current UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland works through his issues ahead of his next title defense, Allen and Chimaev will stay busy by wrestling on the same card at RAF 14 on Oct. 23 at Fontainebleau in Las Vegas. Allen takes on former Bellator champion Alexander Shlemenko, while Chimaev faces UFC Hall of Famer Robbie Lawler.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Brendan Allen reveals UFC title agreement with friend Khamzat Chimaev