Andre Muniz vs Brendan Allen 2/25/2023 Expert Picks, Previews And Odds
On February 25, the UFC will make its return with an exciting light heavyweight main event matchup between Ryan Spann and Nikita Krylov. The UFC Apex in Las Vegas will host the event, which will commence with preliminary bouts at 4 p.m. ET, followed by the main card at 8 p.m.
Adding to the anticipation, a middleweight showdown between Andre “Sergipano” Muniz (18-4-0) and Brendan “All-in” Allen (13-3-0) has been confirmed for UFC Fight Night 220. Ag.Fight was the first to report this matchup. The event will take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on February 25, with the light heavyweight bout between Nikita Kyrlov and Ryan Spann serving as the headline fight.
As part of the UFC Vegas 70 card, fight fans can also look forward to Andre Muniz (23-4, 5-0 UFC) and Brendan Allen (20-5, 8-2 UFC) squaring off against each other.
Andre Muniz vs Brendan Allen 2/25/2023 Expert Picks, Previews And Odds
Andre “ Sergipano “ Muniz
Andre Muniz has been on an impressive nine-fight winning streak that dates back to December 2017. Since joining the UFC in 2019, the former Dana White’s Contender Series contender has gone 5-0, with notable victories over notable fighters like Uriah Hall, Eryk Anders, and Ronaldo Souza. With a professional record of 23-4, Muniz has secured 15 of his wins via submission, showcasing his prowess as a grappling specialist.
Muniz is known for his submission skills and has won all three of his UFC fights by armbar. He’ll look to rely on his jiu-jitsu expertise when he takes on Brendan Allen on Saturday. Once Muniz is able to defend against Allen’s attacks, he’s likely to attempt a takedown, although it’s also possible that Allen could take the fight to the ground first.
When Muniz achieves the top mount position, he’s in a favorable spot to work his submission game. He’s capable of transitioning to the back mount position as his opponent stands up, allowing him to execute his signature armbar submission. Muniz’s size and pressure can also wear down his opponents as they defend, leading to a tap-out. Even if Muniz ends up on his back, he’s still a threat with his armbar submission from various positions. It’s worth noting that Muniz famously broke Jacare Souza’s arm with this technique at UFC 262.
Brendan “ All-in “ Allen
Despite being an underdog in four of his UFC fights, Brendan Allen possesses a natural power advantage over Muniz. While Allen may have the upper hand in striking, this fight is likely to end up on the ground. If Allen finds himself on the bottom, he’s demonstrated the ability to escape dangerous positions and even secure submissions, as seen in his win over Krzysztof Jotko at UFC Vegas 61.
Muniz, however, is a formidable opponent with a three-inch reach advantage over Allen. The Brazilian is known for his slick grappling skills and can generate significant leverage with his submission attempts. Muniz is likely to attempt his signature armbar submission, from both top and bottom positions, forcing Allen to defend. If Allen can successfully stop Muniz’s submission attempts a few times, he may find an opportunity to win the fight.
Also a former competitor on the Contender Series, Allen has compiled an 8-2 mark during his tenure with the Las Vegas-based promotion. The 26-year-old Sanford MMA export is coming off a 3-0 campaign in 2022 that featured victories against Sam Alvey, Jacob Malkoun and Krzysztof Jotko.
Pick: Muniz to win (-200); UNDER 2.5 rounds (-190); Bet on Muniz to win inside the distance
February 25, 2023, 7:00 PM EST | UFC Apex
