UFC Fight Night picks: Brendan Allen backed to get his taste of revenge against Chris Curtis

Middleweights Brendan Allen and Chris Curtis clash in the main event, while former women’s featherweight champion Germain de Randamie returns to the octagon for the first time in three years, where she will take on Norma Dumont.

Fight Night is its own standalone event, and offers a slightly different experience to the UFC’s normal numbered events.

It provides up-and-coming fighters a platform to impress on a larger stage and is quickly becoming a breeding ground for new and promising talent.

Here, Planet Sport picks out tips and suggested bets ahead of the 13-fight card.

 

Brendan ‘All In’ Allen vs Chris ‘The Action Man’ Curtis

It has been just over two-and-a-half years since the first meeting between Allen and Curtis, which took place in December 2021.

The Action Man won with a second-round stoppage, however bookmakers odds are favouring Allen to get the better of him this time around. 

With a record of 31-10-1, the 36-year-old has impressively won via TKO or KO in 59% of his UFC victories.

Curtis comes into this contest off the back of a split decision win over Marc-Andre Barriault at UFC 297, and will be looking to get his sixth UFC win in Las Vegas.

On the other hand, Allen is somewhat of a submission specialist, and is currently on a six-fight win streak.

The 28-year-old, who towers at 6ft 2ins, has won by way of submission in 61% of the fights he has been victorious in.

Allen is certainly in better form and should get the better of Curtis despite the power he possesses.   

Tip: Brendan Allen to win

 

Valter ‘The Clean Monster’ Walker vs Lukasz ‘The Bull’ Brzeski

This is the second scheduled bout on the main card, and is set up to be one of the best fights of the night. 

Brazilian heavyweight Walker will be looking to follow in his brother’s footsteps ahead of his UFC debut.

Johnny Walker is already an established UFC fighter, competing in the light heavyweight class.

The Clean Monster comes to the UFC with a perfect record of 11-0-0, finishing six of those fights by TKO or KO.

His opponent Brzeski is in dire need of a win, having lost his previous three bouts.

The Bull’s most recent loss came in August 2023, when Waldo Cortes-Acosta won by a stoppage in the first-round.

Fighting out of Poland, Brzeski is a powerful heavyweight, who lands on average 5.08 significant strikes per minute.

Despite his lack of UFC experience, Walker has the height and reach advantage, and is expected to come out victorious on his debut.

Tip: Valter Walker to win

 

Trevor Peek vs Charlie ‘The Cannibal’ Campbell

Peek bounced back from a loss to Chepe Mariscal with a brilliant win over Mohammed Yahya in the prelims of UFC 294.

Before he joined the UFC, the 29-year-old had won all of his professional bouts by either KO or TKO.

Peek is certainly a fantastic up-and-coming talent and has earned his place on the Fight Night main card.

In comparison, his opponent is in brilliant form himself.

Campbell has been victorious in his last four professional fights, and has a perfect record so far in the UFC with one win.

The Cannibal has an aggressive fighting style and landed an impressive 11.03 significant strikes per minute in his win over Alex Reyes.

This lightweight bout between two exciting fighters is hard to call, but Campbell is expected to win on the night.

Tip: Charlie Campbell to win

 

Norma ‘The Immortal’ Dumont vs Germaine ‘The Iron Lady’ de Randamie

De Randamie, 39, will be back in the octagon for the first time since 2021.

Since her UFC debut in 2013, the Dutch fighter has enjoyed plenty of success.

The Iron Lady defeated Holly Holm at UFC 208 to become the women’s featherweight champion – a reign which lasted four months.

She also had a shot at the bantamweight title in 2019, but was defeated by Brazilian Amanda Nunes.

With a reach of 71 inches, de Randamie has a four-inch advantage over her opponent.

Dumont, who is the 11th ranked bantamweight in the world, has won her last three fights.

The 33-year-old won by unanimous decision against Chelsea Chandler at Fight Night in July 2023.

With an average fight time of 14:49, bouts going the full distance is a common trend with The Immortal, who has also won via decision 80% of the time in the UFC.

Despite this, Dumont is expected to get the better of the experienced de Randamie.

Tip: Norma Dumont to win

 

Court ‘The Crusher’ McGee vs Alex ‘The Great White’ Moreno

This welterweight clash promises to round off the prelims in spectacular fashion.

McGee, who is the more experienced of the two at 39, has lost his previous two fights.

The Crusher was stopped in the first round by Jeremiah Wells and Matt Brown in both bouts.

McGee is more comfortable on the canvas than on his feet, with 33% of his career wins coming via submission.

Likewise, Moreno comes into this contest after losing his previous fight.

The 33-year-old lost by unanimous decision to Joaquin Buckley in October 2023.

Throughout his career The Great White has landed on average 5.02 significant strikes per minute, and with six career wins via KO or TKO, he has the power to grab a quick finish.

Going off recent form, Moreno is the favourite to come out on top of this contest.

Tip: Alex Moreno to win

By Ed Moss