Once the type of match-up that might have headlined a Fight Night card, the middleweight showdown between Brendan Allen and Marvin Vettori instead arrived as part of the UFC 318 prelims in Saturday.
The fight had been a long time coming, with the pair having been scheduled to face off in April 2024. Then, the duo managed to get into it outside of the cage in an incident at a casino last August.
Both men had lost their last two fights, giving someone a chance to get back on the right track at UFC 318. Vettori was also getting over the loss of his younger brother in a house fire earlier this year.
From the opening bell both fighters met in the center of the cage, with Allen threatening a body kick, while Vettori looked for a straight left hand. Allen able to secure a takedown in the first minute of the round, quickly climbing to back control. Vettori was leaking blood from his nose, as Allen controlled him against the fence. Midway through the round Allen was able to secure another takedown but was reversed by Vettori, who ended up on top. Vettori started throwing heavy ground and pound before transitioning to back control himself.
It was a very high-paced round that returned to the feet with a minute remaining. A good jab from Allen found a home while Vettori returned fire upstairs with a powerful straight left hand. A flying knee attempt missed for Allen in the final ten seconds as he may have secured the round. This was an incredible pace and a highly entertaining first five minutes.
In the second, Vettori marched forward with multiple jabs and a few leg kicks. Allen landed a straight right hand to the body and threw a body kick moments later. Both fighters sat in the pocket exchanging punches in this ranked middleweight matchup. Vettori connected on a winging overhand right but Allen ate it an walked forward. Allen landed a big combination of straight punches against the fence that momentarily rocked Vettori. Moments later Vettori would answer back with a big punch of his own in what was turning into a fire fight in the pocket. Allen was ahead on significant strikes again in this round, with Vettori showing toughness and an elite chin.
Entering the final round Vettori needed a finish to secure a victory. With a sense of urgency Vettori came out swinging but Allen answered back with a good left hook moving inside. Vettori landed a straight left only to eat three punches in return. Allen continued to march forward as both fighter exchanged big shots. The New Orleans crowd was on their feet for this fight as it entered the final minute. Chants of “USA” rang through the arena as Allen teed off on Vettori against the cage in the final ten seconds. The final bell sounded ending this amazing fight between two warriors.
Going to the judges scorecards it was Brendan Allen who was awarded the victory Unanimously (30-27, 30-27, 29-28). Allen gave a passionate speech to Daniel Cormier in the cage saying he will never lose in his home state and that he can beat any middleweight in the world when he’s on. This was a massive win for Allen who got back in the win column against a former title challenger.
Official Result: Brendan Allen def. Marvin Vettori by unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 29–28)
