Preview: UFC Fight Night 182 Main Card

Big time performance by 24-year-old @BrendanAllenMMA #UFCNorfolk pic.twitter.com/GYMINDrO9v

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 1, 2020

Middleweights

Brendan Allen (15-3) vs. Sean Strickland (21-3)

ODDS: Allen (-110), Strickland (-110)

This is a shockingly excellent fight given that it got booked on less than a week’s notice. Strickland is certainly making up for lost time, as this fight comes two weeks after the Californian returned from a two-year injury layoff. Those injuries came in a horrific motorcycle accident, and the main point of intrigue was exactly how “Tarzan” would look after going through so much adversity. As it turns out, Strickland may have looked better than ever. Formerly a patient but effective counterstriker, Strickland showed much more comfort leading the dance and imposing his will upon Jack Marshman than in his previous fights, with some added trash talk to boot. It will be interesting to see if Strickland’s more aggressive approach comes with some defensive issues against those who can better test him, but that probably will not matter here against a grappling specialist. Allen ostensibly has some striking, but the core of his game is crashing into his opponents and attempting to kick off as much chaos as possible. Allen has proven himself to be a surprisingly dangerous finisher on the mat, but even if he cannot immediately find his opponent’s neck, he has found it worth gambling that his opponent will not be able to keep up in the long run. This might be Allen’s ceiling, however. While he is not known for it, Strickland has proven to be a strong grappler during the times he has implemented those parts of his game. Allen may be able to keep getting takedowns, but if he cannot get much done on the mat, Strickland should be able to make up the difference as the much better striker; whatever Allen throws is almost instantly negated by his complete lack of defense. The pick is Strickland via decision, but this is an interesting stylistic matchup and an excellent test for both men.

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