UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Allen odds, predictions, time: MMA expert unveils surprising fight card picks
Arnold Allen isn't big on self-promotion, but that doesn't mean he lacks confidence. The No. 4-ranked featherweight will seek a signature victory on Saturday against former champion Max Holloway in the main event of UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Allen with a potential title shot at stake. The five-round contest closes the curtain on the main UFC fight card (8:30 p.m. ET) from the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Allen has won all 10 of his UFC fights but is still a relative unknown among many MMA observers. He hopes to change that by defeating the No. 2-ranked Holloway, who is looking to protect his spot at the top of the division by turning back a rising prospect.
Holloway is a -190 favorite (risk $190 to win $100), while Allen comes back at +160 (risk $100 to win $160) in the latest UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Allen odds from Caesars Sportsbook. In the co-main event, featherweight prospect Billy Quarantillo (-160) meets veteran contender Edson Barboza (+140). Before making any UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Allen picks, make sure you see the MMA predictions and betting advice from surging MMA expert Daniel Vithlani.
Vithlani is a highly analytical UFC bettor who profited more than $6,200 for $100 bettors in 2022. This includes a documented 24-14 record on his well-respected, two-leg parlays. Every pick was documented on his public Instagram account.
From breaking down film and following fighters and their camps closely, to tracking sharp action and betting market signals, Vithlani covers the breadth of the MMA betting landscape top to bottom. He also trains amateur boxers and speaks regularly with MMA fighters to understand the sport's nuances.
In his SportsLine debut at UFC 283 in January, Vithlani swept the main card and his 5-0 mark included telling SportsLine members to support Jamahal Hill (-125) against Glover Teixeira (+105) for the vacant light heavyweight title in the main event. Anyone who has followed him has seen massive returns.
Now, with UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Allen in sight, Vithlani has scoured the card top to bottom for value and released his top MMA picks. Vithlani's UFC Fight Night picks are only available at SportsLine.
UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Allen preview
Although he's still just 31, Holloway (23-7) has been in the UFC for 11 years and established himself as one of the most popular fighters in the promotion's history. He remains a fan favorite because of his fearless and all-action fighting style, along with his jocular demeanor outside of the Octagon.
The rugged Hawaiian's popularity hardly dimmed amid the changing of the guard in the division, though it leaves him in a predicament. There's almost zero chance he'll be booked for another title shot against Volkanovski, who is set to defend the belt in July against top-rated contender Yair Rodriguez.
A potential move to lightweight could be considered, but Holloway is regarded as undersized for the division and lost a decision to Dustin Poirier in an April 2019 fight for the interim lightweight title. There's also a possibility Volkanovski could permanently move to lightweight if he defeats Rodriguez, opening a path for Holloway to return as featherweight champion.
Conversely, Allen (19-1) is practically assured of his first title shot should he defeat Holloway. The eight-year UFC veteran has shown a polished and versatile skill set ever since he joined the promotion, but his climb has been slowed by bouts of inactivity and a relatively meager slate of opponents.
The 29-year-old English fighter finally notched a signature victory last October with a second-round stoppage of Calvin Kattar, a former top-three contender who is now ranked No. 7. With a win over Holloway, he would move into position to face the winner of Volkanovski vs. Rodriguez. You can only see who to pick at UFC Fight Night at SportsLine.
UFC Fight Night predictions
We'll share one of Vithlani's UFC Fight Night picks here: He is siding with Azamat Murzakanov (+155) in a battle of light heavyweight prospects on the main card.
Jacoby (18-6-1) is a former Bellator fighter who is known for his power punching and athleticism. The 35-year-old Colorado native was perhaps the division's fastest-rising prospect on the strength of a nine-fight unbeaten streak. But Jacoby's momentum was temporarily halted in the form of a controversial split-decision loss to Khalil Rountree last October.
Murzakanov (12-0) caught the attention of UFC brass with a first-round knockout on "Dana White's Contender Series" before winning his first two fights with the promotion by stoppage. The 24-year-old Russian knockout artist stopped journeyman Devin Clark last August.
"Jacoby will have striking, experience and cardio advantages. Murzakanov should be in for a long night of jabs and leg kicks," VIthlani told SportsLine. See who else to back here.
How to make UFC Fight Night picks
Vithlani has locked in strong picks for Holloway vs. Allen and other bouts on the UFC Fight Night card. He's also backing a fighter who is "one of the best kickers in UFC history" to emerge with a dominant victory. Vithlani's picks and MMA analysis are only available at SportsLine.
UFC Fight Night odds, fight card
Max Holloway (-190) vs. Arnold Allen (+160)Billy Quarantillo (-180) vs. Edson Barboza (+155)Dustin Jacoby (-150) vs. Azamat Murzakanov (+125)Ion Cutelaba (-125) vs. Tanner Boser (+105)Chris Gutierrez (-210) vs. Pedro Munhoz (+175)Rafa Garcia (-270) vs. Clay Guida (+220)Billy Algeo (-200) vs. TJ Brown (+170)Matheus Nicolau (-200) vs. Brandon Royval (+160)Zak Cummings (-225) vs. Ed Herman (+185)Gillian Robertson (-120) vs. Piera Rodriguez (+100)Daniel Zellhuber (-125) vs. Lando Vannata (+105)Bruna Brasil (-155) vs. Denise Gomes (+130)Gaston Bolanos (-190) vs. Aaron Phillips (+160)
Lucie Pudilova (-135) vs. Joselyne Edwards (+115)
