WATCH: “Bring that same energy” – Scottish star Paul Craig asked to not go ‘leg lock mode’ by Brendan Allen at fiery face-off

Brendan Allen and Paul Craig faced off at the UFC Apex ahead of their fight in the UFC Las Vegas 82.

WATCH: “Bring that same energy” – Scottish star Paul Craig asked to not go ‘leg lock mode’ by Brendan Allen at fiery face-off

Brendan Allen and Paul Craig face-off before their fight in UFC Las Vegas 82. (via X)

Brendan Allen and Paul Craig go to business this weekend. They are headlining the UFC Las Vegas 82 fight card happening at the UFC Apex. As such, they shared an intense face-off after the official weigh-ins at their fight venue. During the face-off, Brendan Allen had a few words to say to his opponent.

Paul Craig showed up to the face-off with his usual Scottish face paint while Brendan Allen wore his customary Tymak hat. The intensity built as they got closer and closer. Once they stared eye-to-eye, Craig refused to move. Then, Allen told him to bring the same energy to the octagon. He also mocked ‘BearJew’ for his fighting style. Here is what he said:

Just bring the same energy tomorrow. We're gonna fight tomorrow, don't worry. Just don't be pulling guard.
Brendan Allen (via X)
YouTube video

Paul Craig is a Jiu-Jitsu specialist and one of the most dangerous fighters from his back. The audience loves a standup war and not a predominant ground game. That was the reason why Brendan Allen asked him not to pull guard. Allen also has great skills in Jiu-Jitsu which would be put to use in this matchup.

Brendan Allen is currently ranked tenth while Paul Craig is ranked thirteenth in the UFC middleweight division. However, it is only the latter’s second fight in the weight division. He previously competed in the light-heavyweight division. Later, he moved down to middleweight and won over Andre Muniz. Allen has also got a win over Muniz and this set up the fight between ‘All In’ and ‘Bear Jew’

Fans reacted to the comments made by Brendan Allen to Paul Craig

Brendan Allen and Paul Craig came together for their official face-off today. They stared at each other fiercely for one last time before their fight. After the customary face-offs, Craig was reluctant to leave and held eye contact with Allen for an extended period. Allen sensed the Scottish fighter’s energy and told him to maintain the same energy when they met in the octagon.

Brendan Allen tells Paul Craig to not pull guard in their fight
Brendan Allen tells Paul Craig to not pull guard in their fight (via X)

Paul Craig has had only one fight in the middleweight as he just moved down from the light-heavyweight division. With high-class BJJ skills on both sides, this fight is expected to go back and forth. As such, fans were excited and reacted to the fierce face-off between the two fighters. Here are some interesting reactions:

Fans had mixed reactions to Brendan Allen’s comments. A few mocked Paul Craig along with him while a few trolled that Allen was scared of Craig’s BJJ guard. However, ‘All In’ has a record of 22 wins and 5 losses and is on a five-fight win streak.

On the other hand, Craig has a record of 17 wins and 6 losses and is relatively new to the division. A win in this fight would help Craig rise in the UFC middleweight rankings.

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