With one fight in the past four years, Tom Breese was facing an opponent at UFC Norfolk who wasn’t even in the UFC when Breese himself last fought. Brendan Allen, a former LFA middleweight champion, was the man welcoming Birmingham’s Breese back to action. Breese had last competed in 2018, picking up a win over Dan Kelly. Allen was about to enter his seventh fight dating back to 2018, and had won five straight.
Breese’s struggles with anxiety had in part kept him away, but he was ready to go at UFC Norfolk.
Both started the fight off firing away before tying up in the clinch. Breese briefly tripped Allen and attempted to jump on the back but lost position; Allen then landed on top. Breese was showing some heavy hips in side-control/half-guard, landing ground and pound and really looking to lock in that kimura. Breese tried to make something happen but Allen was just too much on top. Allen postured up landing big ground and pound and Breese wasn’t moving to better himself so the ref stepped in. Allen handed Breese his first stoppage defeat. A tough way to return for Breese, and a big win for Brendan Allen.
Make that 6️⃣straight for @BrendanAllenMMA! #UFCNorfolk pic.twitter.com/9AGeYJfiqU
— UFC (@ufc) March 1, 2020
Official Result: Brendan Allen def. Tom Breese by TKO (Ground and Pound), Round 1, 4:47
