Paul Craig vs Andre Muniz 7/22/2023 Expert Picks, Tips and Odds
UFC London Fight Night 224
On July 22, 2023, Paul Craig and Andre Muniz will square off at UFC London. Craig is listed at +185 on the opening moneyline, while Muniz is at -225.
Paul “Bearjew” Craig enters the ring with a 16-6-1 record. The 35-year-old is 6’3″ tall and 185 pounds. The traditional combatant reaches 76. Andre “Sergipano” Muniz weighs 185 pounds and is 6’1″ tall. The Southpaw fighter enters the ring with a 23-5-0 record. 33-year-old reaches the age of 78. Paul Craig connects on 2.44 significant strikes per minute, while Andre Muniz scores 2.12 significant strikes per minute. Muniz scores 49% of his essential strikes, while Craig connects on 46% of them. Regarding significant strikes per minute, “Bearjew” allows 2.88, whereas “Sergipano” absorbs 1.74. Additionally, Muniz can block 54% of the significant hits Muniz’s opponents direct at him, compared to 47% for Craig.
Since he has lost his last two fights, Craig wants to end his losing skid. He lost to Volkan Oezdemir by unanimous decision in June 2022 and to Johnny Walker by knockout in January of this year.
Craig’s previous two fights were in the light heavyweight division, so despite the losses, he is still ranked No. 9. Before his defeat by Oezdemir, Craig went six fights without losing, including thrilling victories against the current light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill and the former champion Mauricio Rua. 13 of Craig’s wins have been via submission, and he has only lost once this way.
Paul Craig is less proficient than other grapplers, scoring a takedown 1.81 times every three rounds. Craig completes a takedown attempt on 20% of his shots, while on 50% of his opponents’ attempts, he successfully blocks the takedown. On 36% of his attempts to take down opponents, Muniz succeeds while fending off 41% of those attempts. Craig attempts 1.7 finishes per fifteen minutes, while Muniz attempts 1.8 finishes every third, making him the less skilled of the two combatants regarding submissions.
In his final bout inside the Octagon, Paul Craig met Johnny Walker and was knocked out in round one by punches to the head. Walker ultimately connected on 17 21 total strikes he released for this match. Craig only connected with 3 of his entire eight blows in this battle. Walker had a success rate of 80% regarding significant strikes, landing 16 out of 20 attempts. In the end, he made 12 of 16 critical headshots. Craig ultimately connected on 3 of 8 significant strikes, landing 37% on the cage’s opposing side. He made no contact on the three head-directed significant strikes he threw. Walker connected on 37% of his major strikes from a distance, whereas Craig connected on 100%.
Paul Craig vs Andre Muniz 7/22/2023 Expert Picks, Tips and Odds
Andre Muniz faced Brendan Allen in his final fight, which he ultimately lost by rear naked choke in round 3. Allen eventually made 95% of his significant long-range strikes, whereas Muniz made 100% of his considerable long-range strikes. Muniz ultimately connected on 43 out of 112 essential strikes or 38% of his attempts. He ultimately succeeded on 25 of his 88 significant headshots. In that match, Allen connected on 42 out of 102 crucial swings. He made 21 of 76 strikes intended for the head, according to the substantial strike accuracy. Allen completed 64 of the 129 total strikes thrown in that match, while Muniz completed 45 of the 114 total strikes he tried.
Just months after his spectacular winning run ended, Muniz is eager to return to the Octagon. Before losing by submission to Brendan Allen in the main event of UFC Fight Night: Muniz vs. Allen last February, the 33-year-old Brazilian had put up a nine-fight winning streak.
Muniz suffers a setback from the defeat, although it has not hurt his standing in the middleweight class. He can get back on track toward earning a title fight with a victory over Craig, and with his grappling abilities, he poses a threat. His record in submissions is 15-1. He takes down opponents 2.95 times per 15 minutes in the UFC and has a greater success rate (36%) than Craig does (20%).
Paul Craig vs. Andre Muniz. Paul Craig returns triumphantly to the middleweight division with a unanimous victory over Muniz.
Prediction: Paul Craig wins via decision.
Location: O2 Arena in Greater London, England
Date: Saturday, July 22, 2023
Main Card: 3:00 PM ET
Prelims: 12:00 PM ET
Watch on: ESPN and ESPN+
