In the Clinch: Allen & Craig Lock Up, UFC Fight Night 232 – The bottom end of the middleweight division will ramp up going into 2024. It starts with Brendan Allen and Paul Craig at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 232 at The Apex in Las Vegas.
American, No. 10 Allen (22-5-0), 27, comes into the fight with some momentum, courtesy of a five-fight win streak. Four of those wins have been submission wins.
Each victory puts Allen on the radar of the division. Clearly, he is defending his ranking Saturday. As a former LFA middleweight titleholder, he knows what it takes to make it to the top. He will not underestimate his lower ranked opponent. The strategy will be interesting as Allen should have the speed advantage on the feet and Craig likes to utilize submissions as well.
Allen has the striking advantage on paper, and I suspect he will try to use it to at least set up a takedown or ground attack. His two losses in the octagon have come via strikes so he must take care not to get caught by Craig, yet not be afraid to take advantage of openings on the feet.
For No. 13 Craig (17-6-1), 35, this is an opportunity to cover some ground in one sitting. He is also a former BAMMA world light heavyweight champion and like Allen, knows what it takes to reign supreme.
As the bigger man, Craig has to be weary as he does not have the arm speed to take advantage unless he gets the clinch or grapples. Four of his six losses have been due to strikes and so it makes sense to get the fight to the ground and work to his strength despite Allen’s capabilities there.
One loss in the middleweight division can be particularly costly as Allen and Craig will be reminded of on Saturday.
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