UFC Paris: Imavov Faces Allen in Co-Main Event Showdown

The upcoming UFC Paris event is set for September 28, 2024, at the Accor Arena in Paris, France, featuring a highly anticipated co-main event between middleweights Nassourdine Imavov and Brendan Allen. Imavov, who has been on a winning streak, recently defeated Jared Cannonier by TKO in a thrilling main event, showcasing his resilience and striking ability. Prior to that, he secured a majority decision victory over Roman Dolidze, further solidifying his position in the middleweight rankings. Brendan Allen, on the other hand, has had a mixed performance in his recent fights. He achieved a notable first-round submission win over Aaron Jeffrey in July 2019, but his stoppage streak came to an end in April 2024 when he faced Chris Curtis, resulting in a split decision victory. This fight against Imavov presents a significant challenge for Allen, as he aims to regain momentum in his career. In terms of betting odds, Imavov opened as the favorite at -188, while Allen was positioned at +140. Imavov's defensive striking statistics are notably better, with a defense rate of 59 percent compared to Allen's 47 percent. Additionally, Imavov boasts a takedown defense of 74 percent, indicating his ability to thwart opponents' grappling attempts. Given these factors, analysts predict that Imavov will likely secure a victory over Allen, with a consensus pick suggesting a win by decision. This matchup is crucial for both fighters as they look to establish themselves further in the competitive middleweight division.