UFC Fight Night Predictions – Brendan Allen vs. Paul Craig: Fight card, odds, start time, live stream

Brendan Allen and Paul Craig are trying to make a big run towards the middleweight elite. They will first face each other in the main event of UFC Fight Night at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Allen (22-5) is still looking for a marquee win to turn heads but his output is impressive. Allen is riding a five-fight winning streak and is 10-2 since joining the promotion four years ago. He’s already tied for second all-time in UFC middleweight submissions and has finished his last three opponents by backhand choke. Allen hopes an impressive showing against Craig will reward him with a fight up the middleweight ladder. Allen lined up a fight with Robert Whittaker or Jared Cannonier at UFC 300.

“I’m one of the most active people. I fight every year three times,” Allen told CBS Sports. “I fight the best guys I can go with. I want the best guys. I win and I finish guys. I’m not going to- go in there to score a fight and win a decision. My fights show that. I’m willing to get into a dogfight if I have to.

Check out the full interview with Brendan Allen below.

Craig (17-6-1) is another slick submission specialist who flashes at 185 pounds. Craig’s strong but unspectacular run at lightweight came to an end after consecutive losses to Volkan Oezdemir and Johnny Walker. Craig has an amazing ability to turn the tide in a split second. He famously tapped out Magomed Ankalaev with a triangle choke with one second left in a fight he was losing. Craig’s middleweight career got off to a flying start this summer. The Scot scored only his fourth TKO in 24 professional fights, stopping Andre Muniz and debating in the UFC’s official middleweight rankings.

“I believe this battle is going to be very much a constant battle,” Craig said at Wednesday’s press day. “Who’s going to control the pace? Who is going to dominate the Octagon? Then from there, who is going to take over with those heavy shots? It will be won on the feet, eventually on the ground.”

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Saturday’s UFC card lacks promise and storylines. Only two of 14 scheduled bouts feature scheduled fighters and none immediately impact title shots. There are several fighters who are capable of producing great moments. Michael Morales (15-0) is a solid artist working his way up the welterweight ladder against Jake Matthews. Uros Medic has a 100% completion rate in victory and plans to go 10-for-10 against Myktybek Orolbai. Chase Hooper, Jordan Leavitt and Amanda Ribas are among the other main card fighters that fans may recognize.

Below is the rest of the fight card for Saturday with the latest odds before we get to the predictions and picks for the main event.

UFC Fight Night card, odds

UFC Fight Night viewing information

Date: November 18 | Start time: 5pm ET (main card)
Location: UFC Apex – Las Vegas
TV channel: ESPN+

Prediction

Brendan Allen vs Paul Craig: I don’t find this fight to be boring. Allen and Craig are dynamic explorers who are happy to go out on their feet. The biggest mystery is how well Craig’s power carries down to middleweight. Craig scored a rare TKO victory against Muniz in his middleweight debut. If his power really is more powerful at 185, it could be the difference between two guys who hit and get hit at an almost equal rate. Allen is the most skilled fighter. His hitting is a bit cleaner and his engagement is proactive. Craig’s struggle is more reactive. He is an opportunity hero. Craig often suffers punishment, lulling his opponents into a false sense of security before lifting a claim off his back. He is tough and very precise with his favorite submission attacks. I don’t suspect that Allen will fall prey to these mistakes. It’s hard to know how Craig’s power will change the equation, but I’m going with the more technical fighter. Allen via SUB2