A highly anticipated middleweight bout featuring Brendan Allen and Marvin Vettori has been confirmed for UFC 318, set to take place in New Orleans on July 19. This fight is expected to settle a long-standing rivalry between the two competitors.
Reports indicate that multiple sources with knowledge of the promotion’s plans have confirmed this matchup.
The bad blood between Allen and Vettori originated when a previously scheduled fight at UFC Vegas 90 was cancelled after Vettori was forced to withdraw. Tensions escalated through continuous trash talk and even a physical altercation during a PFL event held in Florida.
Now, they will finally face off inside the cage, with both fighters aiming to rebound from recent setbacks. Brendan Allen is looking to bounce back after suffering two consecutive decision losses, which followed an impressive seven-fight winning streak.
Similarly, Marvin Vettori is seeking a return to form, holding a 1-3 record in his last four outings, including two consecutive losses of his own.
Adding another layer to the matchup, the event serves as a significant homecoming for Brendan Allen, a native of Louisiana. Allen`s early training included time spent working alongside UFC 318 headliner Dustin Poirier, who is scheduled for his potential retirement fight against Max Holloway in the main event on the same night.
Marcus Blakely