Nik Lentz vs. Arnold Allen

Round 1
In a featherweight affair, gritty veteran Lentz (30-10-2, 1 NC; 14-7-1, 1 NC UFC) steps in on short notice to try to hand Allen (15-1, 6-0 UFC) his first career defeat in the Las Vegas-based promotion. The third man inside the Octagon is referee Wayne Spinola. There is no glove touch, as Allen instead prefers to walk down his opponent. Lentz is the first to land, in the form of a big overhand right. Allen takes it and throws back at him, but Lentz darts out of the way and throws a head kick that gets blocked. Allen lands a one-two, and then avoids Lentz' advancement and scores another. Allen sits down on an uppercut, but Lentz avoids it and lands a few punches before they separate. Lentz rushes forward and tries to throws a looping left hand, but Allen tags him on the forehead with a solid combination that marks up the forehead of "The Carny." Allen dings him with a jab, but Lentz is firing back furiously and catches him with one of his punches. Allen tags him again with a left, and as Lentz blitzes him, Allen hits him with a right and pushes him away. Lentz throws a leg kick and then goes after the takedown. The Brit spins out and in the process gives up his back and a takedown for a brief moment. Lentz throws a few knees to the back of his opponent's thigh, but is more intent on dragging the fight down, which he does again. Lentz is relentless with his takedown, and the commentary booth is squabbling over the level of wrestling in the United Kingdom. In the meantime, Allen secures separation and lands heavily on the chin. Lentz ignores the shots and walks through them before landing a few punches of his own. Lentz flips up a head kick that careens off the shoulder, and Allen then shoves away a brief takedown attempt. Allen continues to strike from a distance, and cracks Lentz on the jaw with an uppercut to stop a level change. Lentz continues to put on the pressure, and narrowly avoids another big uppercut as he comes forward. Allen may have hurt Lentz with a left hand, but Lentz wears it well as the two trade to the bell.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Allen

Round 2
Lentz begins the round with a leg kick, and follows that with a head kick that is well off the mark. He misses another as Lentz sticks him with the jab, and plays matador to a bull rush from Lentz. The American throws a few more loud leg kicks, and then chases after Allen with a left-right. Allen keeps his range and lands flush, before slamming a powerful left hand that staggers Lentz for a moment. "The Carny" blocks a head kick, and shakes out the cobwebs as Allen chains a few more punches together. Lentz lands with a left, and then a right that makes Allen clinch up. The quick, accurate strikes from Allen have bloodied up the nose of his adversary. In the clinch, Allen tries to work but Lentz defends himself, and as they separate Allen lands again. Allen ducks out of harm’s way as Lentz continues the pressure, and the two go punch-for-punch for a few moments. The jab from Allen is finding its home on the reddening face of Lentz, who can then evade the strikes coming back at him. A looping left hand from Allen gets around the guard of Lentz, and makes the American stagger again. He regains his composure and the two clinch up, where they trade knees and short punches. Lentz comes forward and eats an uppercut, but is not concerned as he wades through it to land a knee, before coming close to securing a takedown. Lentz tries with all his might to land one as the round ends, and the two break apart to swing until and after the bell, but both apologize immediately after.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Allen

Round 3
The round begins slower than before, and Lentz is the first to land in the form of two body kicks and a low kick. The American scores a one-two, but Allen is right back at him with a pair of jabs and out of the way when the head kick comes his direction. Allen continues to flick the jab out there, and follows it with a vicious left hook that Lentz is just able to duck in time. Allen tags him, and Lentz does not let him get away with it and lands right back. A jab is followed by a powerful left from Allen, but the chin of Lentz is sturdy. Another one-two from Allen scores, and he follows that with a head kick that nearly lands cleanly. The two clinch up against the cage, and Lentz goes after a single leg takedown but the Brit stuffs it as he has multiple times throughout the bout. Allen presses Lentz against the fence, and separates with a strong left hand that Lentz practically laughs at. "Almighty" keeps his right jab in the face of his opponent, and Lentz blocks a big left coming his way. When we hear the 10-second clapper, Allen digs deep for an uppercut and then smashes a left hook on the jaw of his durable foe. The round ends, and both celebrate for a bout well-fought. Should Allen take home the win, he will increase his win streak to seven in the UFC.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Allen (30-27 Allen)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Allen (30-27 Allen)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Allen (30-27 Allen)

The Official Result
Arnold Allen def. Nik Lentz via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)