The UFC is back this weekend at the UFC Apex. This weekend we will see the rematch of Brendan “All In” Allen and Chris “The Action Man” Curtis. These two met back in 2022 where Curtis was able to secure the victory. Chris Curtis was able to secure a 2nd round knockout that evening. However, will the same story happen this time around?
Germain de Randamie will also return to the octagon after 3 years when she takes on Norma Dumont. Featuring this weekend on the UFC card is a lot of up-and-coming talent which will have a chance to shine. Morgan Charriere, Valter Walker, and Melissa Mullins are some of the talents on display this weekend.
Brendan Allen Becoming a Top Contender
Since the last time these two fought each other, Allen has gone on and improved to achieve an impressive winning streak. Brendan Allen currently holds a professional record of 28-5. This also includes a 6 fight-winning streak with 5 of those wins coming via submission. Recently Allen has been completely in control against his opponents. He has been able to get the fight to the ground and been able to secure the victory. 5 of those victories he has achieved on this streak have come by way of a rear naked choke.
Brendan Allen will be able to make a statement this weekend with a win and be able to secure a top contender or even a title eliminator with a finish this weekend. Allen was supposed to fight Marvin Vettori this weekend. However, Vettori was forced to withdraw from this weekend’s fight due to an injury. Chris Curtis has stepped in on short notice. A fight against Vettori looks likely to happen with a victory or he may face another top contender.
The American already has some impressive victories over Paul Craig and Kevin Holland. Brendan Allen has shown he is an impressive grappler and he is ready to take on the top contenders in the division. Allen has been able to implement his game and has only been getting better in every fight.
The Brendan Allen Skillset
Brendan Allen is an impressive grappler, although he is a threat on the feet as well. During the 6 fight winning streak 5 of those wins came by a rear naked choke which included a victory over Paul Craig. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt can transaction the fight to the ground effortlessly and has been able to secure victories by rear naked choke.
Allen has been able to secure takedowns 48% of the time during his UFC career. Allen will look for the opportunity to take his opponent down to the ground and look to lock in the rear naked choke. While having victories using a rear naked choke he has also been able to achieve victories by way of a heel hook, Americana and a triangle choke. Allen will be patient and wait for the right opportunity and if the rear naked choke is shown Allen will jump at the opportunity to lock it in.
Brendan Allen has been able to improve his fight skills in every fight. He was able to show off his grappling ability against Paul Craig. Submitting the Scottish fighter in the 3rd round. His power is not to be messed with either as he has been able to knock out his opponents. Allen was able to knock out Tom Breese in the first round.
Allen can able to use pressure on the feet to his advantage. He can do this to help him get the fight to the ground. Allen does this by either using it to knock them down like in the Sam Alvey fight. Allen will look to use his striking abilities to get the fight onto the ground and utilise his ground game to his advantage.
Prediction
I believe Brendan Allen will be successful this weekend in the UFC Apex. Chris Curtis is coming in off the back of a split-decision victory over Marc-André Barriault. During his UFC career, Curtis has been able to pick up victories over Joaquin Buckley, Rodolfo Vieira and Phil Hawes. He has also been able to pick up the victory against Allen last time they fought. I believe Allen has improved his game whereas Curtis hasn’t.
It will be a tough battle between these two however, I believe Allen will be able to get the fight to the ground. From there he should be able to lock in a submission and finish his opponent. What happens after this victory we will have to wait and see what happens. I feel we will see Allen against Marvin Vettori get rebooked once Vettori is healthy once again. However, Allen would also be taking a fight against another top contender.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
