Alonzo Menifield is favored against Paul Craig at UFC on ESPN 3 on Saturday, June 29 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This event is one of six fights on the main card on ESPN. Menifield is 8-0 in his career, while Craig is 11-3 in his career. There are a total of six fights on the main card on ESPN at UFC on ESPN 3, with the headliner a bout between Francis Ngannou and Junior dos Santos. There are also a total of seven fights on the preliminary card, all on ESPN. Let’s look at the bout between Menifield and Craig and UFC predictions.
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Alonzo Menifield (8-0, 1-0 UFC)
Menifield came into the UFC with a record of 7-0 and he has one win and no losses in the UFC. He defeated Vinicius Moreira by TKO on January 19, 2019. Menifield has been a pro since 2015 and he has seven wins by TKO/KO and one by submission. He has six first round finishes.
Menifield said this to bjpenn.com about his upcoming fight against Craig, “Paul is a lot more polished in striking than my last opponent, so it may take longer to find his chin. But, my intentions are to definitely put him down just like the last opponent. I’m going for a finish. He likes to grapple. If he falls that will be great, if not it will be a long night for him. My intention is to knock him down and he won’t get up.”
Menifield also said this to ufc.com. “Paul Craig is persistent in trying to grab onto you and take you down — that’s what Kennedy would show me in sparring sessions is that he grabs. I don’t know if he was ever too strong for Kennedy, but he’s persistent in trying to grab you and take you to the ground because that’s his game plan and he’s going to follow his game plan. But my game plan is anti-ground.
Paul Craig (11-3, 3-3 UFC)
Craig came into the UFC with a record of 8-0 and he has three wins and three losses in the UFC. He defeated Henrique da Silva by armbar submission, Magomed Ankalaev by triangle choke submission, and Kennedy Nzechukwu by triangle choke submission; while losing to Tyson Pedro by TKO, Khalil Rountree by KO, and Jimmy Crute by kimura submission. Craig has been a pro since 2013 and he has one win by TKO and 10 by submission. He has seven first round finishes.
Striking Stats
Strikes landed per minute: Menifield 5.98 / Craig 1.91
Striking Accuracy: Menifield 51% / Craig 45%
Strikes absorbed per minute: Menifield 1.96/ Craig 2.82
Defense: Menifield 50% / Craig 45%
Grappling Stats
Takedown average: Menifield 0.00/ Craig 1.74
Takedown Accuracy: Menifield 0% / Craig 19%
Takedowns defended: Menifield 77% / Craig 50%
Submission average: Menifield 0.0 / Craig 1.5
UFC Predictions
Menifield is a pretty good size favorite even though he has fought just once in the UFC. Craig has more UFC experience, but there is no question he is struggling. The price is high, but Menifield is the only way to go in this one. The rounds might provide more value, as Menifield will be looking for the finish, so I will take the rounds to go under the total.
UFC on ESPN 3 takes place at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Saturday, June 29 with six fights on the main card on ESPN, headlined by Francis Ngannou vs. Junior dos Santos and seven preliminary bouts, all on ESPN.
Main Card (ESPN)
Heavyweight - Francis Ngannou -280 vs. Junior dos Santos
Flyweight - Joseph Benavidez -194 vs. Jussier Formiga
Welterweight - Demian Maia -195 vs. Anthony Rocco Martin
Lightweight - Roosevelt Roberts -280 vs. Vinc Pichel
Lightweight - Drew Dober -350 vs. Marco Polo Reyes
Light Heavyweight - Alonzo Menifield -298 vs. Paul Craig
Preliminary card (ESPN)
Bantamweight - Ricardo Ramos -335 vs. Journey Newson
Light Heavyweight - Eryk Anders -410 vs. Vinicius Moreira
Featherweight - Jordan Griffin -380 vs. Vince Murdock
Lightweight - Jared Gordon -310 vs. Dan Moret
Light Heavyweight - Dalcha Lungiambula vs. Dequan Townsend
Women's Strawweight - Emily Whitmire -180 vs. Amanda Ribas
Heavyweight - Junior Albini -120 vs. Maurice Greene
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