UFC Vegas 82: Brendan Allen Dominates Paul Craig, Finds RNC in Round 3

Timothy James

November 18, 2023

Brendan Allen defeats Paul Craig via rear-naked choke at UFC Vegas 82

Middleweight, you have a problem.

That problem is Brendan “All In” Allen – who added yet another rear-naked choke victory to his ledger tonight at the APEX in Las Vegas.

ANOTHER rear-naked choke finish for Branden Allen!!!

He chokes out Paul Craig in round 3. Dominant performance!#UFCVegas82 pic.twitter.com/oLAjPZ3V9d

— InsideFighting (@InsideFighting_) November 19, 2023

It’s safe to call Allen a rear-naked choke specialist – with 5 of his last 6 victories coming via the UFC’s most common submission. After getting through 13th-ranked middleweight Paul Craig, Allen will look to continue his 6-fight winning streak against someone in the top 10.

He made that one look easy 🤷‍♂️@BrendanAllenMMA puts an end to this #UFCVegas82 main event with another tapout victory! pic.twitter.com/0FhfyEudVh

— UFC (@ufc) November 19, 2023

It was a complete performance from start to finish – with Allen comfortably in the driver’s seat. Other than a split-second calf slicer attempt from Paul in the first round, the Scottish grappler couldn’t get much of anything going against Allen.

#UFCVegas82 Official Scorecard: Brendan Allen (@BrendanAllenMMA) vs Paul Craig

See every scorecard here ➡️: https://t.co/He4sxcGRUn pic.twitter.com/Xrouanj39n

— UFC News (@UFCNews) November 19, 2023

With another rear-naked choke notch on his belt, Allen now has 4 consecutive submissions – tied for 3rd all-time with Nate Diaz and Charles Oliveira. It’s clear that “All In” is on an ascension to the top of the division, so it’s no surprise that the callouts were plentiful.

There are a few names on the mind of @BrendanAllenMMA after his #UFCVegas82 performance 👀 pic.twitter.com/8oybJK0HeT

— UFC (@ufc) November 19, 2023

“Whittaker, Canonier, [Khamzat], whoever, I don’t care. I’m trying to fight man. I want the number one contender, I’m the best in the world. I’m here to prove it. If you say otherwise, come show me, don’t tell me,” Allen stated in his post-fight Octagon interview.

At this point, a title shot for Brendan Allen feels inevitable.

MMA Twitter Reacts to Brendan Allen’s win over Paul Craig at UFC Vegas 82

Made all the right moves tonight! @BrendanAllenMMA Confidence backed up!! #UFCVegas82
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) November 19, 2023

Allllll innnnn @BrendanAllenMMA is gonna be champ
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) November 19, 2023

Brendan Allen put on a masterclass tonight! Allen submits Paul Craig in round 3 via RNC. 6 wins in a row wow! #UFCVegas82 Congratulations @BrendanAllenMMA pic.twitter.com/nAv9iobQMq
— Nina-Marie Daniele (@ninamdrama) November 19, 2023