An exciting contest between submission specialists Brendan Allen and Paul Craig headlines UFC Fight Night 232 as streaking Allen squares off against former Light heavyweight Craig. Scotsman Paul Craig will be fighting for the second time at 185 pounds (ca. 84 kg), following a victorious divisional debut last July. UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Craig is the last event at the UFC Apex in 2023 as the promotion winds down for the year. The fight night takes place this weekend and streams on ESPN+. The winner of the main event moves into top contender status.
MMA: UFC Middleweight
Venue: UFC Apex
Where to watch: ESPN+
Date: 19.11.2023. 03.40
Brendan Allen
The number ten-ranked Middleweight, Brendan Allen, has four straight wins at 185 and five consecutive wins overall, including a victory over Sam Alvey at 205. Four of the five victories of the 27-year-old have been submissions. A black belt in jiu-jitsu, the former LFA Middleweight champion debuted in the UFC in 2019. The DWCS grad is 10-2 in the UFC, with losses against current Middleweight champion Sean Strickland and Chris Curtis. "All In" has one of the UFC's highest rear-naked choke victories at number five.
Tale of the Tape
- Age: 27
- Height: 6' 2"
- Reach: 75"
- Record: 22–5
Paul Craig
The 35-year-old Scot made history in London in 2018 when he submitted Magomed Ankalaev at 4:59 in round three for the latest submission finish in a 3-round fight in UFC. That victory also handed Ankalaev his only loss. Paul Craig, who also competes in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, moved down to Middleweight from 205 following a pair of losses to Johnny Walker and Volkan Oezdemir. Before the losses, Craig posted four straight wins at Light heavyweight, including finishing Jamahal Hill and Nikita Krylov. The Briton has expressed delight at losing twenty pounds, claiming to be better and faster.
Tale of the Tape
- Age: 35
- Height: 6' 4"
- Reach: 76"
- Record: 17–6-1 (Draw)
I feel a lot better in my skin now, a lot better in my body.
Betting Odds
Paul Craig is a 3.95 underdog on Betwinner, with the Scottish man priced at 7.5 for the submission on Betwinner. 1XBET lists the over/under 1.5 at 1.78 and 1.97 odds, respectively. Allen by submission is 2.87 on Bet365 and by KO/TKO 2.25 odds.
Bet on Brendan Allen vs. Paul Craig with 1xBet
