UFC Fight Night: Brendan Allen dominates Paul Craig for sixth consecutive win, Michael Morales defeats Jake Matthews

Brendan Allen won his fourth fight in a row by rear naked choke to defeat Scotland’s Paul Craig following a dominant performance at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas.

The American beat Craig by submission in the third round of their middleweight clash to record his sixth-straight victory.

He rattled the Scotsman with a big left hook before moving in for the rear naked chock, forcing Craig to tap out.

“I need a number one contender shot,” Allen told TNT Sports after the fight. “I think I deserve it, I’ve earned it. I can beat anyone they put in front of me, I’ll finish them. Whoever the UFC says that is, I don’t care who.

“I’m trying to fight, man. I want the number one contender, I’m the best in the world and I’m here to prove it.”

Allen managed 52 strikes to Craig’s 13 in an impressive showing which takes his record to 22 wins and five losses.

Craig, who admitted it was a dream come true to become the first Scottish fighter to headline a UFC event ahead of the bout, was competing in only his second middleweight fight after moving down from light heavyweight in July.

In the co-main event, Ecuadorian Michael Morales beat Jake Matthews in the Welterweight division to defend his undefeated record.

After going for the full three rounds, Morales was handed the victory by unanimous decision to take his record to 16-0.

Payton Talbott overcame Nick Aguirre in the bantamweight division to win on his UFC debut.

A rear naked choke in the third round was enough to beat the American.

The women’s strawweight fight between Luana Pinheiro and Amanda Ribas went in favour of Brazilian Ribas.

She won by a third round TKO following a stunning combination to get back to winning ways after her defeat to Maycee Barber in June.

Elsewhere, Chase Hooper beat Jordan Leavitt in the lightweight division by submission in the first round.

- - -

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing, NBA and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.