Three wins down, a title shot to chase: Brendan Allen's next test is Christian Duncan

Brendan Allen wanted a fight higher up the UFC middleweight rankings. Instead, he will put his own position on the line against Christian Leroy Duncan, a rising contender who has won five consecutive fights.Allen, ranked No. 4 in the division, has won his last three bouts, most recently beating Edmen Shahbazyan by unanimous decision on June 6. Duncan, ranked No. 10, heads into his first UFC main event on the back of consecutive decision wins over Roman Dolidze and former title challenger Jared Cannonier.For Allen, the fight is another chance to keep moving in a division where he believes he should be facing opponents above him. It also comes as he continues to look towards a possible matchup with former middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis.Allen has maintained that a fight with Du Plessis had effectively been agreed earlier this year before it fell through.