Barry Recks
All eyes in the UFC will be on the UFC APEX again this weekend, with UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Craig up next on the schedule.
Read on for more about this UFC Fight Night event in Las Vegas, including our predictions, picks, and latest odds in each bout, as brought to you by JefeBet. Also, don’t forget to check out the other MMA content here to help you make the best betting decisions.
Betting Preview for UFC Fight Night Featuring Brendan Allen vs. Paul Craig & Other Big Cards on November 18 2023
Brendan Allen (-395) vs. Paul Craig (+310)
Middleweight
No. 10 middleweight Allen and No. 13 Craig are on a collision course this weekend. This is expected to be a thrilling fight with each fighter looking to climb at least a notch up the rankings. Craigo carries a 17-6-1 record with 13 submissions and just a submission loss to his name. Allen is also a submission specialist with a 13-1 submission record and a 22-5-0 slate overall.
Prediction: Allen wins via stoppage.
Michael Morales (-290) vs. Jake Matthews (+235)
Welterweight
Morales doesn’t know what it feels like after a loss because he’s never suffered one. He is a perfect 15-0-0 in his career with 11 of his victories coming via knockouts. Morales also has seven first-round finishes. Morales is 19-6-0 and is coming off a submission victory against Darrius Flowers at UFC 291 last July. He has seen a lot in the Octagon and he’ll look to use his experience against the younger Morales.
Prediction: Morales wins via KO.
Chase Hooper (-218) vs. Jordan Leavitt (+180)
Lightweight
Hooper’s debut as a lightweight in the UFC was a success, as he scored a unanimous decision win over Nick Fiore last May. He is now 12-3-1 with four knockout wins and five submission victories. As for Leavitt, he is coming off a sensational first-round TKO win over Victor Martinez last February that earned him Performance of the Night honors.
Prediction: Hooper wins via stoppage.
Payton Talbott (-750) vs. Nick Aguirre (+525)
Bantamweight
Talbott is making his UFC debut this weekend. He is undefeated so far in six pro fights, with five of his wins coming by way of knockouts. Talbott is currently best known for winning the Dana White’s Contender Series. Aguirre is eyeing to return in the win column after suffering his first career loss at the hands of Dan Argueta (UC) last January. He fought Argueta on short notice but managed to last the entire three rounds. Aguirre is 7-1-0 with a 3-0 and 4-0 T/KO and submission slates, respectively.
Prediction: Talbott wins via KO.
Luana Pinheiro (+200) vs. Amanda Ribas (-245)
Women’s Strawweight
Following a long absence from the action to recover from an injury, Pinheiro (11-1-0) showed she’s still the same old dangerous fighter when she scored a split decision win at UFC 287 versus Michelle Waterson-Gomez last April. That was her ninth win in a row, a streak that dates back to 2017. Ribas, meanwhile, is looking to rebound from a lsos to Maycee Barber last June. Despite that loss, Ribas can’t be taken lightly, as she has earned wins before against the likes of Paige VanZant and Mackenzie Dern.
Prediction: Ribas wins via decision.
Jony Parsons (odds) vs. Uro Medic (odds)
Welterweight
Parsons is looking to extend his incredible win streak. He has won each of his last six bouts and will enter this weekend’s match with a 9-3-0 record along with a 7-2 T/KO slate. Meanwhile, Medic is 9-1-0 with a clean 7-0 K/) record and two wins via submissions.
Prediction: Medic wins via decision.
