Fight Night Preview: Brendan Allen vs. Christian Leroy Duncan

Middleweight's #4 and #10 meet Saturday night at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas. One of them leaves as a real contender.

Brendan Allen has rebuilt fast. After back-to-back losses to Nassourdine Imavov and Anthony Hernandez, he's won three straight over Marvin Vettori, Reinier de Ridder, and Edmen Shahbazyan, with two Fight of the Night bonuses along the way. He's been in big fights and five-round fights before.

Christian Leroy Duncan is the hottest name in the matchup. The Cage Warriors product is on a five-fight win streak that includes former title challenger Jared Cannonier and Roman Dolidze, with two Performance of the Night bonuses. This is his first UFC main event.

The question that decides it: Duncan has proven he belongs in the top 10. Saturday asks whether he can do it for 25 minutes against a veteran who has been there before.

The rest of the main card

• Andre Fili vs. Kai Kamaka III (featherweight). Two fighters who don't know how to have a boring fight. Fight of the Night candidate.
• Lupita Godinez vs. Ketlen Souza (strawweight). Godinez's pace against Souza's power.
• Gerald Meerschaert vs. Julius Walker (light heavyweight). A huge experience gap.
• Matheus Camilo vs. Jai Herbert (lightweight).
• Malcolm Wellmaker vs. Otari Tanzilovi (bantamweight).

Prelims: Niko Price vs. Leon Shahbazyan, Felipe Franco vs. Brendson Ribeiro, Ernesta Kareckaite vs. Melissa Gatto, Francisco Prado vs. Ismael Bonfim, Alice Pereira vs. Darya Zheleznyakova, and Allen Frye Jr. vs. RJ Harris.

How to watch (Central Time)

• Prelims: 4:00 PM CT
• Main card: 7:00 PM CT
• Main event: about 8:20 PM CT

Our full breakdown and picks: The Counter: Allen vs. Duncan Breakdown & Picks. Every pick goes on our public record, win or lose.

Read the feint. Call the counter.