Max Holloway vs. Arnold Allen: UFC Fight Night Odds, Prediction
Max Holloway remains pegged at No. 2 in the UFC featherweight rankings despite being largely dominated in his five-round unanimous decision loss to Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 276, which also marked his third defeat in three years at the hands of the reigning UFC featherweight champ. Things get no easier for “Blessed” as he gets set to face Arnold Allen, who has climbed to No. 3 in the rankings while winning 12 straight fights, capped by last October’s second-round TKO win over Calvin Kattar at UFC Vegas 63.
Holloway’s continued struggles to regain the title he held for three years have not hurt him on the UFC Fight Night odds, where he is perched as a clear -195 favourite. Allen lags as a +150 underdog, while the odds of this contest going a full five rounds are listed at -132.
Max Holloway UFC Fight Night Odds
Holloway finds himself once again outside the title fight conversation in the wake of last summer’s defeat at the hands of Alexander Volkanovski. Indeed, Volkanovski has clearly emerged as Blessed’s nemesis after defeating him in each of their three battles for the UFC featherweight crown. But while those defeats have checkered what was previously an impressive MMA record, it is important to note that the reigning champion is the only fighter to beat Holloway at 145 pounds since his loss to Conor McGregor in their three-round clash 10 years ago at UFC Fight Night 26.
While the argument can be made that the 31-year-old Hawaiian has lost a step in recent years, he remains a formidable force. Holloway has recorded the most wins and knockouts of any featherweight in UFC history, and maintains devastating punching power, landing an average of 7.18 significant strikes per minute. Blessed can also be counted on to go deep in every fight, with each of his past seven contests going a full five rounds, and has not been finished by an opponent since suffering a first-round submission loss to Dustin Poirier in his featherweight debut at UFC 143 over 11 years ago.
Arnold Allen UFC Fight Night Odds
After fighting just eight times over his first seven years in the UFC, Arnold Allen kept busy in 2022. The 29-year-old Englishman established himself as a legitimate title contender with dominating performances in two octagon appearances last year. “Almighty” needed just over two-and-a-half minutes to dispose of veteran Dan Hooker by TKO at UFC London in March 2022, earning himself a performance of the Night bonus. Allen then earned the TKO win over Calvin Kattar, who was forced to quit in the second round of a clash that Allen was clearly winning.
Almighty has now seen 11 of his 19 wins come by finish. However, he also has plenty of experience going deep, with six of his previous seven fight going deep. And that experience will be crucial if he is to have any chance against the toughest opponent he has ever faced. While Allen looks the sheer punching power that Holloway possesses, he is among the all-time leaders in the UFC featherweight division with a 67% strike defence. Allen’s southpaw stance could cause headaches for Holloway, and his ability change levels and bring the action to the mat will also be key to his success on Saturday.
UFC Fight Night Prediction: Max Holloway vs Arnold Allen
Expect another marathon clash involving Holloway, who will provide Allen with some valuable lessons while getting back in the win column with a nod from the judges.
Prediction: Max Holloway by Points of Technical Decision (-110)