UFC Fight Night 232: Allen vs. Craig Odds, Schedule, Predictions
Two emerging middleweights will meet at the UFC Apex Facility in Las Vegas when Brendan Allen and Paul Craig meet in the main event.
Allen comes into the bout on the strength of a five-fight winning streak. He first caught attention with a dominant performance on Dana White's Contender Series in 2019 and now he's starting to make real waves with his first headlining appearance.
He doesn't draw an easy assignment on Saturday. Paul Craig isn't on a winning streak right now but he's proven to be a tricky opponent in the past. He has wins over Jamahal Hill and Nikita Krylov at light heavyweight.
Now he's plying his trade at middleweight and trying to break into the top ten in his new home.
It's a fun matchup at 185 with an even bigger fight likely in store for the winner.
Here's a closer look at that fight along with the complete card and predictions for the featured bouts.
- Brendan Allen (-440) vs. Paul Craig (+340)
- Jake Matthews (+250) vs. Michael Morales (-310)
- Chase Hooper (-205) vs. Jordan Leavitt (+170)
- Nick Aguirre (+500) vs. Payton Talbott (-700)
- Luana Pinheiro (+195) vs. Amanda Ribas (-238)
- Uros Medic (+102) vs. Myktybek Orolbai (-122)
- Joanderson Brito (+114) vs. Jonathan Pearce (-135)
- Chad Anheliger (+170) vs. Jose Johnson (-205)
- Christian Duncan (-575) vs. Denis Tiuliulin (+425)
- Caio Machado (+300) vs. Mick Parkin (-380)
- Lucas Alexander (-520) vs. Jeka Saragih (+390)
- Ailin Perez (-175) vs. Lucie Pudilova (+145)
- Nikolas Motta (-135) vs. Trey Ogden (+110)
- Rafael Estevam (-155) vs. Charles Johnson (+130)
Main Card (ESPN+, 5 p.m. ET)
Prelims (ESPN+, 2 p.m. ET)
This is one of those matchups where it's going to be fascinating where the fight even takes place. Both Allen and Craig do their best work on the ground where they have won the majority of their fights by submission.
So what happens when two ace grapplers meet one another?
Well, a lot of times, a striking match breaks out.
Both Allen and Craig are used to holding a clear advantage on the ground. With both having high level jiu-jitsu there's a good chance this one just stays on the feet and that could be an advantage for Allen.
Craig's stand up is a little unorthodox, but it also really only serves to setup his takedowns and grappling. Of course, that's usually what Allen is doing with his striking but he keeps things much tighter and has some timing as a counter striker.
That's going to be the difference in this one. Craig's striking isn't refined enough to really threaten Allen, but the 27-year-old has enough technique and timing to make him pay for his recklessness.
Prediction: Allen via second-round TKO
The co-main event feels like a matchup that is set up as a showcase for Michael Morales, but there's still some intrigue to it.
Morales has a lot going for him right now. The 23-year-old is 15-0 with a 3-0 record since signing with the UFC after a win over Dana White's Contender Series. Those wins have come against Trevin Giles, Adam Fugitt and Max Griffin. It's not a murderer's row but they are all three veterans with decent track records.
That kind of success this early in his career is going to start generating buzz. A win over Jake Matthews in a co-main event spot is only going to take that buzz to the next level.
Matthews is an interesting opponent. He also looked like a future star at one point in his career, but he hasn't put it together to make a serious run.
There's still time for the 29-year-old but he's 2-2 in his last four fights. If he can get a win over Morales it would show that he still has that potential in him while handing his opponent his first loss.
Matthews is a well-rounded fighter who could give Morales a better fight than anyone to date. However, Morales is the more talented fighter and should get his hand raised.
Prediction: Morales via decision
