UFC - Brendan Allen vs Paul Craig | FULL FIGHT | UFC Seattle
Brendan Allen showcased his grappling and striking prowess against Paul Craig, ultimately winning with a rear naked choke in the third round. Throughout the fight, Allen demonstrated control on the ground, effectively using elbows and maintaining pressure on Craig. Despite Craig's attempts to secure submissions, Allen's defense and ability to counter were evident. Allen's strategy involved staying on top, avoiding submissions, and landing significant strikes, which he executed successfully. His performance was marked by a combination of ground control and striking, leading to a decisive victory. Allen's victory solidifies his position in the middleweight top 10, as he continues to demonstrate growth and confidence in his fights.
Key Points:
- Brendan Allen won via rear naked choke in the third round.
- Allen maintained ground control and landed significant strikes.
- Paul Craig attempted submissions but was unable to secure them.
- Allen's strategy focused on staying on top and avoiding submissions.
- Allen's victory reinforces his position in the middleweight top 10.
Details:
1. Opening Moves: Anticipation Builds 🎯
1.1. Psychological Readiness and Confidence
1.2. Strategic Mind Games
2. Striking and Strategy: Measuring Up 🥊
- Brandon Allen achieved a submission win at 4:59 in round three against the light heavyweight Contender, showcasing his grappling proficiency.
- Despite being expected to have an advantage in striking, Brandon Allen faced challenges due to Paul Craig's physical size and unique fighting style.
- Brandon Allen's previous performances highlight his strength in striking, but Paul Craig's unconventional approach required an adaptive strategy.
- The fight emphasized the importance of adaptability, as the assumed striking advantage was countered by Craig's effective use of reach and technique.
3. Grappling Exchange: Testing the Waters 🤼
- Paul Craig attempts a body lock by digging his left arm around Brendan Allen's hip, aiming to lock his hands around Allen's ribs. This move is meant to control Allen's posture and restrict his movement, setting up for potential takedowns.
- Brendan Allen effectively counters Craig's body lock attempt by preventing the hand lock, maintaining his balance and leverage in the exchange.
- Paul Craig must avoid turning his back to Brendan Allen to prevent a potential rear-naked choke, showcasing the importance of positioning in grappling exchanges.
- Brendan Allen executes a successful uchimata throw, transitioning directly to half guard, demonstrating his ability to capitalize on Craig's positioning errors.
- Despite appearing to struggle, Paul Craig often surprises by turning the fight in his favor, using effective lock-down techniques. This highlights his resilience and strategic awareness in grappling situations.
4. Submission Attempts: A Battle of Wits 🛡️
- Paul Craig utilizes both his legs and arms equally to defend and attack, making him difficult to hold down.
- Brendan Allen applies heavy third-point pressure but is unable to inflict damage due to Craig's defensive techniques.
- Craig's ability to control Allen's left arm and use his leg to tie up Allen prevents effective strikes.
- A critical moment occurs when Craig attempts a calf slicer submission, demonstrating his offensive capabilities even under pressure.
- Despite Allen's positional advantage, Craig's versatile use of limbs keeps him competitive and able to attempt submissions.
5. Allen's Tactical Dominance 🏆
- Brendan Allen demonstrated exceptional defensive skills by effectively escaping Craig's submission attempt, showcasing his adaptability under pressure.
- Allen employed strategic ground and pound techniques, leveraging his strength in this area as a core part of his game plan.
- Despite facing risks such as the triangle choke, Allen adeptly managed his position to maintain control and dominance throughout the round.
- His strategy focused on maintaining top position and executing powerful strikes, ensuring a win over a challenging five-round fight.
- Allen's tactical approach included transitioning smoothly between positions to avoid submissions while maximizing striking opportunities.
6. Craig's Resilience and Counter Moves 💪
- Paul Craig sustained a cut above his right eye late in the first round, demonstrating resilience by continuing to fight despite the injury.
- Both fighters actively engaged in the second round, with significant strikes exchanged, highlighting their strategies to dominate the octagon.
- Brendan Allen's ground game was notably superior, outstriking Paul Craig 10 to 1 in significant strikes during the first 6 minutes, indicating a strategic advantage in grappling.
- Paul Craig articulated his comfort and strategy of potentially fighting off his back for the entire 25 minutes, showcasing his preparedness and tactical approach.
7. Final Moves: Victory Secured 🎉
- Brendan Allen maintained continuous forward pressure against Paul Craig, preventing Craig from setting up submissions.
- Allen effectively controlled the top position, making it difficult for Craig to execute his preferred submissions from guard position.
- Craig's strategy of waiting for Allen to make a mistake did not pay off; Allen's constant advancement kept him out of submission danger.
- Paul Craig has the most triangle choke submissions in UFC history with four, but Allen's grappling skills and preparation neutralized this threat.
- Allen's strategy involved consistent elbow strikes from the top, contributing to a cut over Craig's right eye and weakening his defense.
- Allen's approach of never pulling back and always moving forward was key to his control and eventual victory.
- Brendan Allen secured victory via rear naked choke, marking his fifth submission win in his last six fights.
8. Post-Fight Reflections and Future Prospects 🔍
- Brendan Allen's victory demonstrated his ability to execute his pre-fight strategy exactly as planned, showcasing his reliability and confidence in the ring.
- At only 27 years old, Allen is now firmly positioned within the middleweight top 10, indicating a strong career trajectory ahead.
- Allen's technical skill was highlighted through effective combinations, such as the left hook to the body and head followed by a right hand, showcasing his proficiency in boxing fundamentals.
- His ability to secure a rear naked choke submission, often without full positional control, emphasizes his skill in submission grappling and ability to capitalize on openings.
- The fight concluded with Allen achieving a rear naked choke submission at 38 seconds into round three, demonstrating his efficiency and effectiveness in concluding matches.