A1 Combat 13 Main Event Breakdown

This Friday, UFC Hall of Fame inductee Urijah Faber puts his promoter’s hat on for the only time this month.  Tachi Palace, which was to play host to the original UFC 249 in 2020, is the setting for A1 Combat 13.

Live coverage of A1 Combat 13 begins with the prelims at 8 pm ET/ 5 pm PT on YouTube, followed at 9 pm ET/ 6 pm PT with the main card on UFC Fight Pass. All told, barring any cancellations, the event features nine bouts.

Welterweight Title at Stake in A1 Combat 13 Main Event

Highlighting the night’s activities is the A1 Combat 13 main event, where the A1 Combat Welterweight Championship is on the line. Incumbent champ Ozzie Alvarez (10-9 MMA, 2-1 A1 Combat) makes the walk for the 20th time when he takes on Jeff Creighton (7-2-1 MMA, 0-0-1 A1 Combat).

This is a rebooking of a canceled fight from last January between these two fighters. As with all A1 Combat headliners, the A1 Combat 13 main event is an advertised maximum of three rounds at five minutes per round to close the show.

And your New @A1Combat Featherweight Champ 🏆🏆

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A1 Combat 13 Main Event Fighter Comparison

Heading into the A1 Combat 13 main event this Friday, both of these men stand level at 5-foot-11. Creighton owns a 74-inch reach, with no such information for Ozzie Alvarez.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the oddsmakers have Jeff Creighton installed as the second-highest favorite on the money line (-500), with Ozzie Alvarez countering as a +375 underdog. Only Luis Kenneth Schwenke is a bigger favorite (-550) on the card.

If you plan on betting on this or any other fight happening over the weekend, please wager responsibly.

Ozzie Alvarez Coming In Off 6 1/2-Month Layoff

Champion Ozzie Alvarez enters the A1 Combat 13 main event having gone 2-3 in his last five fights. A streaky fighter, he’s won two contests in a row after having dropped five in succession.

Back in January, he scored a third-round knockout over the previously-unbeaten Tyson Miller (4-1 MMA, 0-1 A1 Combat) in A1 Combat 7. After, Ozzie Alvarez was slated to have fought Buddy Wallace in A1 Combat 11. 

However, this particular fight was scrubbed prior to the show for reasons unknown. Alvarez has not competed in the cage in six and a half months’ time ahead of the A1 Combat 13 main event.

How much ring rust is there for Alvarez and how much of a training camp has he had? Tune in on Friday night for the answers.

Jeff Creighton Returns to A1 Combat Upon Successful Bellator Debut

In the other corner, Jeff Creighton has posted a 3-1-1 record in his last five fights. At the present time, he’s on a four-fight unbeaten streak.

Back in March, Creighton made his Bellator MMA promotional debut, picking up a split decision win against Joey Davis (8-1 MMA, 8-1 Bellator) in Bellator 293. After the fight, Creighton said he was the better man in the cage.

“I looked up at the board that gave all the stats,” Creighton began. “I stayed busy the entire time. I did the most damage. He held me down a little bit. He got me flat on my back once during the whole fight. Other than that, I was scrambling and hitting him with elbows. My elbows are literally hurt from hitting him with so many elbows.”

Now that he’s had a taste of major MMA, can Creighton improve his resume with a championship on the regional circuit? Only time will tell.

Analysis, Film Study, and Prediction

Stylistically, the A1 Combat 13 main event looks to be a toss-up. Both men are known grapplers.

Alvarez Can Be Brutal With Knockouts

Much like Canelo has been in the past, Ozzie Alvarez is also known for his vicious knockouts. Just look at the third round against Miller.

Alvarez stalked Miller in the early going. About a minute or so into the round, Miller attempted a double-leg takedown, with Alvarez stuffing it.

Upon Alvarez landing a left-handed punch, the two threw feints. with Miller landing a two-punch combination. As the round neared its end, Alvarez uncorked a right-handed punch to drop Miller.

A brief flurry of ground and pound shots ended the fight. All it takes is one punch to end the A1 Combat 13 main event in Alvarez’ favor.

Creighton Brilliant on the Ground

In the other corner, Jeff Creighton has a decent ground game. It was on full display two and a half years ago in Peak Fighting 7 against Carlos Melara.  

During the third round, Melara dumped Creighton, only for the latter to reverse course and take control himself. From there, Creighton was on cruise control.

Late in the round, he applied the torque to quickly sink in an armbar for the win. If Jeff Creighton can get Ozzie Alvarez on the ground once, it could be the opening he needs to take the title in the A1 Combat 13 main event.

Final Thoughts

While it may not be the most appealing main event on Friday, the A1 Combat 13 main event is certainly an entertaining one. Get your popcorn ready!

Prediction: Ozzie Alvarez by Unanimous Decision.