Max Holloway vs Arnold Allen at UFC on ESPN 44
MAX HOLLOWAY VS ARNOLD ALLEN FACTS
When is UFC on ESPN 44? Saturday 15 April, 2023 - 23:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC on ESPN 44? T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, Missouri (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC on ESPN 44?
What channel is UFC on ESPN 44 on? BT Sport 2
Where can I stream UFC on ESPN 44? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
MAX HOLLOWAY VS ARNOLD ALLEN LOWDOWN
Max Holloway (23-7) has not quite accepted Alexander Volkanovski is the rightful king of his division. The Aussie took his throne in 2019 handing him his first featherweight loss in 15 fights since Conor McGregor (2013). Volkanovski won the rematch seven months later and although it was a razor thin split decision, Holloway was forced to pick up a couple wins before earning another shot. He proved he is at the top of the food chain with supreme performances and unanimous decisions over top contenders Calvin Kattar (2021) and Yair Rodriguez (2021) but lost more convincingly to Volkanovski in July last year.
Arnold Allen (19-1) is the next top contender in line for the former champ. He has quietly risen to the top of the pile after winning all 10 of his UFC fights to extend his winning streak to 12. He racked up some solid unanimous wins over the likes of Gilbert Melendez (2019), Nik Lentz (2020) and Sodiq Yusuff (2021) but the fight that put him on the map was his TKO over Dan Hooker (2022). He violently welcomed the Kiwi back down to the division and followed that up with a TKO over Kattar although it was his knee that gave way and not his chin.
MAX HOLLOWAY VS ARNOLD ALLEN PREDICTION
This is just another fight for Holloway whereas as this is the biggest opportunity of Allen’s career which makes him very dangerous. He has steadily improved and his boxing has become extremely dangerous. That said, he is taking on the best boxer in the division.
Allen has a clear power advantage, but he needs to use it wisely as Holloway is as seasoned as it gets over five rounds. Holloway’s output will not slow down so his defence needs to be water tight. His cardio and speed is not on Volkanovski’s level so he needs to be patient and uncork his power at the right time.
Allen is one of the best fighters in the division and deserves this opportunity, but Holloway is just a level above when it comes to volume and experience which is what will be key to winning this fight.
We can see Allen winning a round or two by inflicting more damage on the feet while threatening the takedown and clinching up. However, we do not feel it will be enough for the former champion.
Prediction: Holloway via Decision -
