The featured preliminary middleweight bout between Marvin Vettori and Brendan Allen at UFC 318: Holloway vs. Poirier 3 on July 19, 2025, in New Orleans brings together two ranked contenders in desperate need of a bounce-back win. Vettori (#10) and Allen (#11) were originally scheduled to meet in April 2024, but injuries delayed the matchup. Now healthy and with their rankings on the line, the grudge match finally takes center stage.

Marvin Vettori

Marvin Vettori is a tough, relentless pressure fighter known for his granite chin, volume striking, and underrated grappling. The former title challenger has shared the Octagon with the best middleweights in the world, including Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker, and Jared Cannonier. Despite his durability and cardio, Vettori has struggled to evolve his game, going 2–4 in his last six fights.

In his most recent bout, Vettori lost a unanimous decision to Roman Dolidze in March 2025. While he showed characteristic toughness, he was outworked and outgrappled at key moments. Vettori’s strength lies in his pressure and ability to turn fights into dogfights, but his lack of finishing ability (just 2 UFC finishes in 12 wins) has limited his ceiling.

Marvin Vettori – Last 5 Fights:

1. Loss vs. Roman Dolidze – Decision (Unanimous) (UFC Fight Night 254, March 15, 2025)
2. Loss vs. Jared Cannonier – Decision (Unanimous) (UFC on ESPN, June 17, 2023)
3. Win vs. Roman Dolidze – Decision (Unanimous) (UFC 286, March 18, 2023)
4. Loss vs. Robert Whittaker – Decision (Unanimous) (UFC Fight Night, September 3, 2022)
5. Win vs. Paulo Costa – Decision (Unanimous) (UFC Fight Night, October 23, 2021)

At 30, Vettori still has time to make adjustments, but he needs a statement win to reassert himself in the top 10. His durability, experience, and pace make him a difficult out for anyone in the division.

Brendan Allen

Brendan Allen is a submission specialist and former LFA middleweight champion. With 14 career wins by submission, Allen thrives when he can initiate grappling exchanges and find opponents’ backs. His streak of five submission wins between 2022 and 2023 showcased that killer instinct, but recent back-to-back losses to Nassourdine Imavov and Anthony Hernandez have exposed flaws in his striking defense and durability.

Allen’s split decision win over Chris Curtis in April 2024 was a technical, patient showing, but his latest loss to Hernandez in February 2025 revealed ongoing issues with defending pressure and boxing volume. Still, his submission game remains among the best in the division, especially off scrambles or in transitions.

Brendan Allen – Last 5 Fights:

1. Loss vs. Anthony Hernandez – Decision (Unanimous) (UFC Fight Night, February 22, 2025)
2. Loss vs. Nassourdine Imavov – Decision (Unanimous) (UFC Fight Night, September 28, 2024)
3. Win vs. Chris Curtis – Decision (Split) (UFC Fight Night, April 6, 2024)
4. Win vs. Paul Craig – Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) (UFC Fight Night, November 18, 2023)
5. Win vs. Bruno Silva – Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) (UFC on ABC, June 24, 2023)

Allen has more finishing upside than Vettori, particularly on the ground, but lacks the elite durability or pace needed to win extended wars. If he can't drag Vettori to the mat early, his chances fade with every round.

Prediction

This is a classic style clash: Vettori’s volume and cardio vs. Allen’s submission skills and finishing instincts.

Vettori’s path to victory lies in pressuring Allen against the cage, mixing in his wrestling defense, and forcing him into striking exchanges. Allen’s best hope is to create a scramble early, take Vettori’s back, and find a finish, but that’s easier said than done against one of the most durable fighters in UFC history.

Expect Vettori to absorb early threats, turn up the pace in the second and third rounds, and win through volume, pressure, and cage control. Unless Allen can catch him early with a submission, this should be a grinding Vettori decision.

Prediction:
Marvin Vettori def. Brendan Allen via Unanimous Decision

Expect a competitive opening round followed by a steady shift toward Vettori’s pace and control.