Career Averages - Arnold Allen
Career Averages - Melquizael Costa
Arnold Allen
Melquizael Costa
Arnold Allen - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arnold Allen | 1 | 98 of 152 | 64% | 156 of 222 | 7 of 7 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 9:28 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 100 of 254 | 39% | 118 of 280 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:45 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arnold Allen | 1 | 9 of 9 | 100% | 18 of 20 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:44 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 10 of 14 | 71% | 19 of 25 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:45 | |
| 2 | Arnold Allen | 0 | 23 of 38 | 60% | 28 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:36 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 26 of 78 | 33% | 28 of 81 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Arnold Allen | 0 | 32 of 52 | 61% | 44 of 66 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:22 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 30 of 71 | 42% | 30 of 72 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Arnold Allen | 0 | 23 of 36 | 63% | 26 of 41 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:43 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 23 of 63 | 36% | 24 of 67 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Arnold Allen | 0 | 11 of 17 | 64% | 40 of 51 | 4 of 4 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:03 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 11 of 28 | 39% | 17 of 35 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arnold Allen | 98 of 152 | 64% | 81 of 134 | 6 of 7 | 11 of 11 | 79 of 131 | 0 of 2 | 19 of 19 |
| Melquizael Costa | 100 of 254 | 39% | 47 of 173 | 20 of 42 | 33 of 39 | 97 of 249 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arnold Allen | 9 of 9 | 100% | 8 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 5 |
| Melquizael Costa | 10 of 14 | 71% | 5 of 8 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | |
| 2 | Arnold Allen | 23 of 38 | 60% | 16 of 31 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 5 | 23 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Melquizael Costa | 26 of 78 | 33% | 8 of 49 | 5 of 14 | 13 of 15 | 26 of 78 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Arnold Allen | 32 of 52 | 61% | 27 of 47 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 25 of 45 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 7 |
| Melquizael Costa | 30 of 71 | 42% | 14 of 49 | 7 of 13 | 9 of 9 | 30 of 71 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Arnold Allen | 23 of 36 | 63% | 20 of 33 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 23 of 35 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Melquizael Costa | 23 of 63 | 36% | 10 of 41 | 4 of 11 | 9 of 11 | 23 of 63 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Arnold Allen | 11 of 17 | 64% | 10 of 15 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 1 | 7 of 7 |
| Melquizael Costa | 11 of 28 | 39% | 10 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 11 of 26 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 1 |
Angelo picks Arnold Allen, believing he is cleaner, faster, and more experienced. He is not worried about Costa's grappling and thinks Allen will control the striking. He notes Costa has random power but sees no reason Allen is chinny. He expects Allen to be a step ahead.
Big Brady picks Arnold Allen despite not being a fan, citing the five-round distance as key. He expects Costa to fade in later rounds, as seen in his previous fights. He predicts a decision win for Allen, noting that if it were three rounds, he might pick Costa.
Cody leans toward Arnold Allen due to his experience in five-round fights and higher level of competition, despite a 1-3 record in his last four. He notes Allen's ability to win rounds against elite fighters like Max Holloway and Movsar Evloev, and expects his cardio to be an advantage as the fight progresses. However, he is hesitant to bet the current -155 line and prefers to play Allen in the live market if he loses early rounds. He acknowledges Melquizael Costa's recent knockout power and higher volume, but worries about Costa's cardio in a five-round fight.
Costa is more technical and dynamic on the feet, but may fade in later rounds. Allen is tough, durable, and has good cardio. If Costa's gas tank holds, he wins; if not, Allen takes over. Lean Allen but not betting.
Lucrative James picks Arnold Allen to win, citing Allen's superior five-round experience, size, and ability to close distance against kickers like Costa. He believes Costa's recent knockout streak is not repeatable and that Allen's losses to elite fighters (Max Holloway, Movsar Evloev, Jean Silva) were competitive. He also notes Allen's grappling advantage and the small cage benefiting Allen's pressure style.
The host leans with the veteran Allen due to his experience and ability to potentially exploit Costa's aggressive style, especially in a five-round fight. However, he is not confident enough to bet Allen at -180, as he has never been high on Allen. He predicts Allen wins by decision and might consider the over.
The host picks Arnold Allen but is hesitant due to the chalky odds. He expects Allen to land more significant damage, but acknowledges Costa's volume and aggression could cause issues. He believes Allen's veteran savvy and five-round experience will lead to a decision win.
Paul is not passionate about the main event but leans toward Melquizael Costa if forced to make a play. He notes that Costa has been on a good run and that Arnold Allen has never been knocked down in the UFC, but Costa seems to be putting it together. He is not confident enough to bet pre-fight and will focus on live markets instead.
The host leans towards Max Holloway because the fight is five rounds, which favors Holloway's cardio and experience. He notes that Arnold Allen tends to break his hand and slow down in later rounds, as seen in the Sadiq Yusuf fight. He believes Allen will win the first two rounds but fade, allowing Holloway to potentially finish in rounds 4 or 5. He also mentions Holloway's durability and volume punching.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arnold Allen | 0 | 56 of 116 | 48% | 60 of 121 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:54 |
| Jean Silva | 0 | 74 of 136 | 54% | 78 of 141 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 0:32 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arnold Allen | 0 | 22 of 45 | 48% | 22 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jean Silva | 0 | 16 of 31 | 51% | 16 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Arnold Allen | 0 | 18 of 43 | 41% | 18 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
| Jean Silva | 0 | 32 of 60 | 53% | 35 of 64 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 | |
| 3 | Arnold Allen | 0 | 16 of 28 | 57% | 20 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:42 |
| Jean Silva | 0 | 26 of 45 | 57% | 27 of 46 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 0:30 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arnold Allen | 56 of 116 | 48% | 37 of 86 | 11 of 22 | 8 of 8 | 53 of 113 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Jean Silva | 74 of 136 | 54% | 43 of 103 | 22 of 23 | 9 of 10 | 68 of 127 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arnold Allen | 22 of 45 | 48% | 12 of 33 | 4 of 6 | 6 of 6 | 22 of 45 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jean Silva | 16 of 31 | 51% | 9 of 23 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Arnold Allen | 18 of 43 | 41% | 15 of 36 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 17 of 42 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Jean Silva | 32 of 60 | 53% | 19 of 46 | 6 of 6 | 7 of 8 | 27 of 53 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Arnold Allen | 16 of 28 | 57% | 10 of 17 | 4 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 14 of 26 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Jean Silva | 26 of 45 | 57% | 15 of 34 | 9 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 25 of 43 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Silva (-278), Allen (+225)
Round 1
Due to the cancelation of the second title tilt scheduled for this billing—Kayla Harrison against Amanda Nunes—featherweights will now open up the main card that is still a pay-per-view in some locales. This dramatic clash of styles between a calm sniper in Allen (20-3, 11-2 UFC) and an emotional marauder Silva (16-3, 5-1 UFC) has had people circle their calendars for this potentially spectacular showcase. Before they begin, referee Chris Tognoni takes charge of the cage, and the competitors elect to touch ‘em up.
Allen introduces himself with a chopping kick to the lead leg, with Silva heavy on his front foot. Allen chips away at the body while Silva stares him down. Silva spurs into action with a body shot, only for Allen to nail his front leg on the way out. Silva hand-fights to work his way in, using his lead hand to try to pull down Allen’s guard to set something up. Allen is not having it, as he stays on the outside with pitter-patter strikes that are scoring. Silva misses on a right to the sternum, and Allen is paying close attention to how Silva cocks back his right hand. The Brazilian fakes a kick and draws out a reaction, and he sends Allen staggering back with a jab. Allen fires back with his own jab, sticking and moving to plant a left hand on the nose. Allen counterstrikes his man with a right hand when Silva advances, and he misses the mark by a hair when kicking high. Silva tries to kick him high as well, but he too whiffs.
Allen quickly wraps a kick up around the guard to draw some swelling on the temple, and he flashes several jabs as Silva loads up. Allen gets a one-two through the guard, and the audience starts barking to urge Silva to fight. Allen pushes off with his fingers outstretched and pokes Silva in the eye, and he apologizes profusely as Tognoni briefly calls time. Silva is not concerned and wants to get right back to it, where he starts chasing Allen around the cage. Allen works his front leg to set up good work upstairs, and he is freezing Silva when he commits. Silva keeps loading up, and Allen beats him to the punch and puts his guard up to block the head kick he sees coming. Silva puts on even heavier pressure, going with a right to the head and left to the body. Silva winds up his power strikes but largely brush them off the guard, and Silva suddenly nails his man with a high kick and an elbow. Allen backpedals fast, stung by the blow, and Silva lets him have it with a barrage of offense until the horn sounds. Allen winks at him, and when they do not separate, he shoves the Brazilian away.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Round 2
Kicks fly from both sides to start off the round, and Allen bides his time before splitting the guard cleanly with a one-two. Silva wags his finger at him, allowing Allen to fire off a pair of head kicks at him. Silva kicks the lead calf, and he rushes forward with a right hand and bowls Allen over. Allen stands, and he keeps his guard up to block a kick but gets popped with a right hand. Allen gathers himself and leaps at his foe with a jump knee, and lands to connect several powerful punches that make Silva wag his finger at him again. Silva goes to the body and tries for a right hand upstairs, but Allen skips past it and scores his own left. Silva waves him on, the jab of the Brit starting to do damage as Silva’s right cheek swells. Allen targets it with two punches, a head kick and a flying knee in rapid succession, and Silva tanks it all and slugs back with a dangerous one-two.
Silva tries to tie his man up, and this time, Allen drills him in the nose with a knee. Silva spins with an elbow that bangs into the top of the head, and he spins with another after delaying himself to open up. The Tristar Gym fighter keeps light on his feet and fights behind his jab, not falling into a brawl. Silva hammers both legs with kicks, and he connects with two hooks as Allen’s nose is busted up. Allen just misses with an axe kick and a spin kick, and Silva lets out a woo and tries to high-five him. Allen does not want to play that game, so Silva punches and kicks him in the face. Allen intercepts his opponent with a right hand, and Silva staggers him momentarily with a spinning back elbow. Allen jabs and kicks high with the opposite leg, and Silva smiles and dodges a subsequent kick. Silva tries for a takedown with seconds to spare, and instead tosses out a knee and gets thrown down before the bell rings.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Round 3
The featherweights bump fists to get going, and Silva immediately lashes out with punches and a high kick. Allen takes it well but his nose is already leaking again, and Silva strikes out at it some more. A high kick from the Brazilian is barely blocked, and he stands in place too long and takes a left hand on the schnoz. Shins are clashed when Silva fires off his kick, and he goes to the body with a right hand and sweeps the leg unsuccessfully that opens up a left up top. Allen’s head kick is telegraphed, allowing Silva to get in on him and lands hammers. Allen waves him on, and then pitches a front kick to the face only to duck under in pursuit of a level change. Silva is warned for grabbing the gloves to defend the takedown, and Allen knees him in the side while holding on from behind, with Silva leaning his head on the wall. Allen spams with knees until Silva senses an opening and turns out, breaking free after landing a right.
Allen flicks out his jab, and he is answered by a hacking elbow from the Brazilian. Allen comes up short with a kick and shuts down a single, but Silva is able to latch onto him and nearly take him for a ride. Allen protests that Silva is grabbing something, and Silva keeps on going and trips the Brit to a knee. Silva elevates his foe and slams him down, so Allen springs back up and nails Silva with a front kick. Silva punches his way into a clinch, but it is a fake as he intends on slipping up a head kick that Allen sees coming in time. Allen lets a spinning elbow buzz past him, and he walks into a standing elbow. Silva points to the ground to signal it’s time to brawl, and Allen does not ball for it and instead jabs. Silva keeps looking for the slugfest, and he roars and lets go with bombs. Silva jumps but does not throw anything, landing instead to pitch two high kicks. Silva hurls Allen to the mat with emphasis, and while Allen is on his knees, Silva steps on his back and jumps off of it like a child wrestling with his father—this has been considered unsportsmanlike conduct in the past, ask Drew Chatman. Silva then offers a glove touch or something to signal that he pulled off something quite unusual, and Allen pushes his hand away and wants to strike to the bitter end. The two go the distance, and any tension dissolves when time expires as a tearful Silva actually apologizes to the man in Allen he calls a "legend."
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Silva (29-28 Silva)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Silva (30-27 Silva)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Silva (30-27 Silva)
The Official Result
Jean Silva def. Arnold Allen via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Jean Silva but with low confidence, citing uncertainty about Arnold Allen's health after a long layoff and injuries. He thinks Silva's creativity and aggression will overwhelm Allen, but he worries about Silva coming off a knockout loss. He says he is staying away from betting on this fight.
Big Brady is surprised by the wide odds but picks Silva due to his power, durability, and volume. He thinks Silva hits harder and is more active, and expects a war with Silva landing bigger shots. He predicts Silva by decision, though a knockout wouldn't shock him.
Cody leans toward Arnold Allen, citing Jean Silva's recklessness and poor fight IQ. He notes Silva often gets outworked early and makes mistakes, while Allen is defensively sound and can outpoint him. Cody is wary of Silva's power but believes Allen can win a decision or catch Silva with a counter.
Connor also picks Jean Silva, emphasizing that Silva is the most difficult fighter to game plan for due to his unpredictable, instinctive style. He notes that Arnold Allen's patient, professional approach may not account for Silva's ability to change intensity and land unexpected strikes. Connor points out that Silva has never faced a top-level professional like Allen, but believes Silva's unique talents will cause Allen to get surprised. He also mentions the layoff as a concern for Allen.
Daniel Vreeland picks Jean Silva but with low confidence due to Silva's discipline issues. He notes that Silva has power and shot selection, but his tendency to get cocky and taunt could cost him against a technical fighter like Allen. Vreeland says it's a pass for betting but as a pure pick, he goes with Silva, contingent on him staying disciplined.
James picks Silva, calling him a standout striker with crazy power, reminiscent of Conor McGregor. He believes Allen lacks a standout skill and will be outclassed on the feet. James predicts a KO or decision win for Silva, leaning KO, and notes Silva's hunger for redemption.
The host picks Jean Silva by knockout, citing his activity, power, and ability to walk down opponents. He notes Arnold Allen's low output and inactivity, which could be a problem against Silva's pressure. He also mentions the under 2.5 rounds as a strong prop, given both fighters' power and finishing ability. He is not willing to bet Silva at -255 but likes the under.
Paul picks Jean Silva by KO, taking a small shot on the prop. He acknowledges Silva's flaws but believes his power and pressure can overwhelm Allen, who has never been knocked out. Paul notes Silva's durability and ability to land big shots, but is not confident enough to bet the money line.
The MMA Guru picks Jean Silva, citing Arnold Allen's brittle hands and susceptibility to being dropped. He notes Silva's nasty lead hook and believes Allen's tendency to leave fights to decision will be exploited. He predicts a late first or second round TKO.
Zane picks Jean Silva, citing his incredible timing, sense of distance, and ability to land fight-changing shots. He notes that Arnold Allen, while well-rounded and professional, lacks dynamic finishing ability and often lets opponents stay competitive. Zane argues that Silva's chaotic, vibey style will create opportunities that Allen cannot capitalize on, and that Allen's long layoff and mental health struggles are additional concerns. He acknowledges that Silva can be gameplanless but believes his intangibles will prevail.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arnold Allen | 0 | 61 of 122 | 50% | 61 of 122 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Giga Chikadze | 0 | 38 of 111 | 34% | 39 of 112 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arnold Allen | 0 | 13 of 22 | 59% | 13 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Giga Chikadze | 0 | 14 of 33 | 42% | 15 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Arnold Allen | 0 | 16 of 43 | 37% | 16 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Giga Chikadze | 0 | 13 of 40 | 32% | 13 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Arnold Allen | 0 | 32 of 57 | 56% | 32 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Giga Chikadze | 0 | 11 of 38 | 28% | 11 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arnold Allen | 61 of 122 | 50% | 43 of 95 | 16 of 22 | 2 of 5 | 61 of 122 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Giga Chikadze | 38 of 111 | 34% | 22 of 83 | 12 of 24 | 4 of 4 | 38 of 111 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arnold Allen | 13 of 22 | 59% | 9 of 17 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Giga Chikadze | 14 of 33 | 42% | 7 of 22 | 5 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 14 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Arnold Allen | 16 of 43 | 37% | 9 of 30 | 5 of 9 | 2 of 4 | 16 of 43 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Giga Chikadze | 13 of 40 | 32% | 9 of 32 | 2 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 13 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Arnold Allen | 32 of 57 | 56% | 25 of 48 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 1 | 32 of 57 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Giga Chikadze | 11 of 38 | 28% | 6 of 29 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Allen (-250), Chikadze (+205)
Round 1
A relevant featherweight encounter kicks off the main card of UFC 304, with Britain’s Allen (19-3, 10-2 UFC) trying to snap a two-fight skid at the expense of Georgian striker Chikadze (15-3, 8-1 UFC). The fans have picked their side on this one, and it is safe to say they are not rooting for the man who calls himself “Ninja.” Referee Marc Goddard will observe the proceedings for the next 15 minutes or less, and he sits back as the combatants opt not to touch gloves. Chikadze tests the waters early with a head kick, and he fires it a second time as Allen has his guard up for both of them. Chikadze kicks the side and then the front leg, only to go up high. Allen catches a body kick and tries to take Chikadze for a ride, but Chikadze bounces away and lands a kick on the way out. Allen walks him down, dinging Chikadze with a left hook as Chikadze continues to spam kicks to all three targets. Chikadze jabs and settles down, aiming a second to the chest and staying light on his feet. Allen cannot find his way in, hand-fighting and taking a body kick when trying. Chikadze sits down on a straight right hand when Allen bears down on him, and Allen takes it like a champ and gives back a high kick that hits the shoulder. Chikadze’s head kicks are all blocked, but the front forearm of his foe is reddening after absorbing the quick blows. Allen sticks a jab and ducks down to work the body before Chikadze can get away, and Chikadze gives him a body kick back to think about. A spinning wheel kick from Chikadze goes wide, and his high kick pounds into the glove of his foe. Allen responds with a single body kick, and Chikadze splits the guard with a straight right hand and follows with two speedy body kicks. Chikadze scores a check left hook and is met with a counter left hand, and Allen walks after him tossing out a kick easily blocked. Allen walks into a punch and a kick, and Chikadze pecks at him with a front kick as he constantly mixes up his attacks. Allen connects at the end of a right hand, shaking Chikadze up for a moment, but Chikadze does not back himself into a corner and instead reaches with his own right. Allen tries to wind up with leaping shots, and Chikadze is evasive and hard to get hands on. Allen ducks right into a knee, and he wobbles to the side and punts Chikadze in the face with the ball of his foot. As the Brit raises his arms in the air, the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Chikadze
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Chikadze
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Chikadze
Round 2
Allen rushes out of his corner to attack, landing a right hand out of the gate. Chikadze hand-fights to block anything else aimed his way, and he slides away from two left hooks. Chikadze zings a high kick that brushes his foe’s hair, and Allen aims a body shot in response. Allen scores a solid calf kick and powers out with a left hand, only to be met with three piston-like jabs. Allen chops at the front calf, and Chikadze gives him one right back and jabs him to boot. Allen scores two punches, and he just avoids getting blasted with a step-in knee. Allen rings Chikadze’s bell with a straight left hand, and Chikadze has to take a quick count of his teeth. Chikadze’s speed gives Allen issues, but Allen is ignoring the strikes he absorbs and coming back with venom. Allen blocks a high kick and reaches out with a left to the sternum, and his hands are high to defend against another head kick. Chikadze shakes Allen up with a head kick, and Allen knocks him back with a left hand. Chikadze shakes it off and strafes to the side, constantly moving to not remain a stationary target. Chikadze has an uppercut come up short, and Allen nearly cuts him off with a one-two. Chikadze lands, Allen gives him one back, and Chikadze is away and spamming kicks. Allen beans “Ninja” with a solid left hand, drawing blood from both nostrils. Allen has his leg kicked out on the way in, but he still manages to get off a wide left hand. Allen chambers and fires left hands, and Chikadze prods his front leg with a kick and slips the overhand left. Allen catches him with another left, and he shoves away a leaping Chikadze and kicks high. Chikadze responds with a body kick, and the back-and-forth round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Round 3
The Brit chases Chikadze around the cage as soon as the last round begins, and he manages to get his hands on Chikadze with a left hand or two. Allen walks the Georgian down, and he dodges two punches and reaches with a single shot that smears blood on Chikadze’s forehead. Chikadze comes back firing with a left over the top, and he has a body kick reach before Allen can get to him. Allen front kicks his man and elbows his way in, and Chikadze escapes as fast as he can. Allen rips a body shot and Chikadze is still ready to sling back high kicks, but they have far less sting on them than before. Allen gets off a left, takes two body kicks and continues pressuring his man around the Octagon. Chikadze steps in with a right hand and responds with a heavy left, and he follows him along with another hard left. Allen’s left hand is again accurate, and Chikadze springs into action with a body kick and a punch. Allen goes to the body and then kicks on the other side, and his left hand is hurled at Chikadze’s pectoral. Allen tosses a front kick aside and catches his foe with a left hook, and Chikadze spins but does not release anything. Allen eats a body kick without flinching so he can unload punches, and he puts a one-two down the pipe and chases Chikadze with a right. Allen ends the fight with a jump knee, and the two share an embrace and have a conversation after 15 minutes of striking.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Allen (29-28 Allen)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Allen (29-28 Allen)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Allen (29-28 Allen)
The Official Result
Arnold Allen def. Giga Chikadze via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Arnold Allen, noting that despite Allen being on a two-fight skid, those losses were to top competition (Max Holloway and Movsar Evloev). He argues that Allen looked better in those losses than Giga did in his win over Alex Caceres, where Giga was slow and threw few combinations. Angelo expects Allen to control the striking rhythm and predicts a decision win, possibly hitting the over on rounds.
Cody picks Arnold Allen, citing his fast starts and wrestling. He notes that Giga Chikadze has not faced many wrestlers and was taken down by Calvin Kattar, who is not known for wrestling. Cody believes Allen can pressure Giga, mix in takedowns, and win a decision. He also points out that Giga is older, injury-prone, and has had long layoffs, while Allen is a step down in competition after fighting Max Holloway and Movsar Evloev.
Daniel likes Arnold Allen's southpaw calf kicks and blitzing style but dislikes the price (-230). He thinks Giga Chikadze has cardio issues and can be drained by takedowns. He expects a close fight likely going the distance and picks Allen to edge it out.
Daniel picks Arnold Allen, citing his grappling advantage and youth. He believes Allen can out-grapple Chikadze and should avoid kickboxing with the kickboxer. He notes Allen has more gas in the tank despite two straight losses.
Jeff picks Arnold Allen, noting he can win on the feet as well as by grappling. He praises Allen's body defense (except against Max Holloway) and his volume. He points out Chikadze sometimes takes long to get going and lacks volume, which Allen can exploit. He expects the line to be closer but still takes Allen.
Paul leans towards Giga Chikadze as a dog, citing the value at plus 205. He believes if the fight stays on the feet, it will be competitive and Giga has the striking advantage. Paul acknowledges the risks of jet lag and the UK crowd but thinks the line is too wide. He expects a competitive fight and is willing to take the dog.
The MMA Guru picks Arnold Allen, believing he can use his offensive grappling to exploit Giga Chikadze's takedown defense. He notes that Chikadze has been exposed on the ground every time he's been taken down. The Guru also thinks Allen is close to Max Holloway's level, as shown in their fight, and that Chikadze's win over Alex Caceres was unimpressive. He predicts Allen will win by decision, possibly 29-28, using grappling in the later rounds.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Movsar Evloev | 0 | 59 of 140 | 42% | 61 of 143 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Arnold Allen | 0 | 51 of 118 | 43% | 72 of 141 | 5 of 17 | 29% | 0 | 0 | 3:31 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Movsar Evloev | 0 | 12 of 40 | 30% | 13 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Arnold Allen | 0 | 13 of 28 | 46% | 22 of 38 | 2 of 9 | 22% | 0 | 0 | 1:31 | |
| 2 | Movsar Evloev | 0 | 18 of 42 | 42% | 18 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Arnold Allen | 0 | 21 of 47 | 44% | 25 of 52 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:59 | |
| 3 | Movsar Evloev | 0 | 29 of 58 | 50% | 30 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Arnold Allen | 0 | 17 of 43 | 39% | 25 of 51 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 1:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Movsar Evloev | 59 of 140 | 42% | 41 of 115 | 17 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 46 of 124 | 9 of 12 | 4 of 4 |
| Arnold Allen | 51 of 118 | 43% | 35 of 101 | 12 of 13 | 4 of 4 | 45 of 110 | 5 of 7 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Movsar Evloev | 12 of 40 | 30% | 9 of 36 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Arnold Allen | 13 of 28 | 46% | 9 of 24 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 27 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Movsar Evloev | 18 of 42 | 42% | 13 of 35 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 36 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Arnold Allen | 21 of 47 | 44% | 15 of 40 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 18 of 44 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Movsar Evloev | 29 of 58 | 50% | 19 of 44 | 9 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 21 of 48 | 4 of 6 | 4 of 4 |
| Arnold Allen | 17 of 43 | 39% | 11 of 37 | 4 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 15 of 39 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Evloev (-180), Allen (+150)
Round 1
The five-fight main card of UFC 297 is not playing around, as we kick things off with Top 10 featherweights Allen and Evloev. This fight will have a direct impact on the 145-pound title picture, and as a couple of the best fighters under 30 in the division, it’s entirely possible that these two will meet again sometime in the next few years with a belt on the line. Allen, the Brit but longtime Tristar Gym exponent, gets the adoptive native pop from the crowd. Marc Goddard is the third man in the cage. They go right to work, Allen southpaw, Evloev orthodox. Evloev lands a right body kick to the open side. He goes upstairs with a kick next, but Allen evades it easily. Allen’s right jab and hand fighting are on point early, giving Evloev trouble getting his left hand working. Evloev comes forward and runs into a body punch from Allen. Allen gives chase and lands another left to the body. Evloev changes levels and grabs a single-leg, briefly getting Allen to the ground, but they pop back up with Evloev still holding the leg. Allen escapes a moment later and they return to the middle to the cage. With two minutes to go, Evloev tries another head kick, which glances off the raised arms of Allen. Allen’s jab is a constant presence, but Evloev ducks under one and gets a clean takedown. He can’t secure top position, however, as Allen hits a gorgeous Granby roll and spins to his feet. Evloev re-shoots, hauls him down again, and Allen uses another Granby roll. What a scramble. Evloev follows Allen, takes his back standing and lifts and dumps him on the canvas right before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Evloev
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Evloev
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Evloev
Round 2
Allen’s righty jab is pumping right from the get-go, working to keep Evloev on the outside. Evloev paws out at the hand with his right, trying his own jab. Allen throws a murderous-looking high kick that bounces off the guard of Evloev. Allen throws another high kick, again off of the Russian’s arms, but the cumulative impact to the arms can’t be disregarded at this point. Evloev shoots a single-leg, switches to a double and plows Allen to the ground in the middle of the cage. Allen stands, with Evloev stuck to his back, and goes to the cage. Allen turns toward Evloev, briefly considers a front headlock, but gives it up and uses underhooks to shove Evloev away from his hips. They disengage and move back to the center of the cage, where Evloev meets him with a jumping knee. Allen comes back with another body punch. With under a minute to go, Allen lands another left to the body. Evloev catches him with a right to the chest, then clocks him with a crushing jab that rocks Allen badly. Allen stumbles away, bleeding from a cut under the left eye. Evloev gives chase, but stays measured—or doesn’t realize how badly he has his man hurt. The horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Evloev
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Evloev
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Evloev
Round 3
Between rounds, Allen’s corner more or less tells him he needs a finish, and he comes out aggressively. He backs Evloev up with a flurry of punches, then catches him with a clean, hard three-punch combination. Evloev throws a right cross and tries to shoot a takedown behind it, but Allen is wise to it and steps out of the way, nailing him with a left hand as he does. Evloev changes levels and Allen uses a front headlock to drive him across the cage, throwing knees to the head all along the way. Some of them look as though they might be illegal, as Evloev’s hand is on the canvas intermittently, while Allen tries to elevate him and knee him at the same time. Referee Goddard stops the action, has the cageside doctor examine a cut created by one or more of the knee strikes, and issues a “hard warning” to Allen without taking a point. They go back to work and, with half the round gone, Allen is on the front foot once again. Allen’s jab is there, but Evloev counters him with a kick up the middle. Allen lands another body punch. Evloev shoots right into a front headlock. Allen locks up a ninja choke, then gator rolls to top position. Evloev somehow spins through and ends up on top in north-south, having broken the grip. Another incredible ground sequence from these two standouts. They return to the feet and go careening into the fence, where Evloev is on Allen’s back. Allen throws a nice blind elbow behind him, but can’t land any Hail Marys, and the final horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Allen (29-28 Evloev)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Allen (29-28 Evloev)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Allen (29-28 Evloev)
The Official Result
Movsar Evloev def. Arnold Allen via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Evloev, believing his wrestling will be the difference. He notes Allen's excellent takedown defense (not taken down since 2018) but thinks Evloev's chain wrestling and volume will eventually get takedowns. He compares the fight to Fares Ziam vs. Terrance McKinney, expecting a 30-27 decision. He is unsure about including Evloev in the safety parlay.
Big Brady picks Evloev, citing his undefeated record and high takedown volume. He notes Allen's takedown defense is good but not great, and that Allen has been taken down multiple times in the past by wrestlers. He believes Evloev will control the fight with wrestling and win a decision, unless Allen lands a knockout which he doesn't see happening.
Cody picks Evloev by decision, emphasizing his elite wrestling and ability to control the fight. He notes Allen's struggles against wrestlers like Mads Burnell and believes Evloev will replicate that game plan. He sees Evloev's decision prop as good value.
Daniel Vreeland picks Movsar Evloev to win a comfortable decision. He believes Evloev's relentless wrestling and pressure will neutralize Allen over three rounds, especially in the later rounds. He notes Evloev's takedown volume and ability to mix striking with takedowns. He bet two units on Evloev at -175.
Vreeland picks Evloev, citing his well-rounded game and solid striking. He believes Evloev is a slightly better all-around fighter than Allen, and that his grappling will be a key factor. Vreeland notes that Allen hasn't faced a grappler of Evloev's caliber recently, and that Evloev's takedowns could decide the fight. He suggests watching the first minute to see if Evloev can get takedowns, which would indicate his path to victory.
Fox picks Allen, arguing that his striking is sharper than Evloev's. He points to Evloev's close fight with Diego Lopes on short notice and Allen's competitive fight with Max Holloway as evidence. Fox believes the key question is whether Evloev can get takedowns; if not, Allen wins the striking exchanges. He suggests it may be a live bet opportunity after the first minute.
This fight is not discussed in the transcript. The host does not mention Evloev vs Allen.
I love Evloev in this spot. Even if he doesn't land takedowns, his volume and output advantage should be enough to win on the scorecards if it becomes a striking battle. Allen's takedown defense has been good recently, but the level of wrestlers he faced is not as high as Evloev. Evloev is well-rounded enough to mix up his game and combat Allen's low output. I think Evloev wins by decision and possibly puts himself in a number one contender fight.
Paul agrees with Cody, picking Evloev by decision. He thinks Evloev's wrestling will be the difference and the fight will be ugly. He notes the best price on Evloev by decision is -117.
The MMA Guru picks Arnold Allen as an underdog, despite acknowledging Evloev's grappling. He cites Evloev's recent ACL injury and poor striking defense, noting openings in his punches. He praises Allen's lateral movement, defensive wrestling, and ability to counter. He predicts a close decision win for Allen, 29-28.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 0 | 147 of 262 | 56% | 149 of 264 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Arnold Allen | 0 | 76 of 225 | 33% | 80 of 229 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:42 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 0 | 27 of 62 | 43% | 27 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Arnold Allen | 0 | 11 of 33 | 33% | 11 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 0 | 25 of 49 | 51% | 25 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Arnold Allen | 0 | 19 of 42 | 45% | 19 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 0 | 33 of 51 | 64% | 33 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Arnold Allen | 0 | 14 of 45 | 31% | 14 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Max Holloway | 0 | 29 of 52 | 55% | 29 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Arnold Allen | 0 | 12 of 39 | 30% | 12 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Max Holloway | 0 | 33 of 48 | 68% | 35 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Arnold Allen | 0 | 20 of 66 | 30% | 24 of 70 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:42 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 147 of 262 | 56% | 77 of 180 | 42 of 48 | 28 of 34 | 146 of 261 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Arnold Allen | 76 of 225 | 33% | 48 of 173 | 18 of 36 | 10 of 16 | 76 of 225 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 27 of 62 | 43% | 13 of 46 | 9 of 11 | 5 of 5 | 27 of 62 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Arnold Allen | 11 of 33 | 33% | 4 of 21 | 2 of 4 | 5 of 8 | 11 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 25 of 49 | 51% | 11 of 30 | 8 of 9 | 6 of 10 | 25 of 49 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Arnold Allen | 19 of 42 | 45% | 10 of 26 | 6 of 12 | 3 of 4 | 19 of 42 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 33 of 51 | 64% | 20 of 37 | 7 of 7 | 6 of 7 | 33 of 51 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Arnold Allen | 14 of 45 | 31% | 11 of 39 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 14 of 45 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Max Holloway | 29 of 52 | 55% | 12 of 33 | 10 of 12 | 7 of 7 | 29 of 52 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Arnold Allen | 12 of 39 | 30% | 6 of 31 | 5 of 6 | 1 of 2 | 12 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Max Holloway | 33 of 48 | 68% | 21 of 34 | 8 of 9 | 4 of 5 | 32 of 47 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Arnold Allen | 20 of 66 | 30% | 17 of 56 | 2 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 20 of 66 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Holloway (-175), Allen (+150)
Round 1
The featherweight championship trilogy for Holloway (23-7, 19-7 UFC) did not go his way, dropping three matches to king Alexander Volkanovski, and now “Blessed” will try to earn an unprecedented fourth crack at him. On the other hand, like excellent fighters at lightweight (Beneil Dariush) and welterweight (Belal Muhammad), Allen (19-1, 10-0 UFC) cannot seem to buy a title shot despite an outstanding win streak of 10 straight. Should “Almighty” get past the Hawaiian – Holloway has not lost a non-championship outing in nearly a decade – it should be more than enough to earn him the coveted opportunity to vie for a belt. One thing is certain: This fight should be electric. Referee Jason Herzog is on the call for the last fight of the night, and the two combatants are amped up but glad to touch gloves before the face punching begins. Allen is the aggressor to lead off, with a few leg kicks and jabs. Holloway hops around on the outside, dodging kicks and staying loose. Allen lets go with a body kick, but it is low and bounces off the cup. Herzog pauses the fight to let the Hawaiian get his wind back, but Holloway only needs 15 seconds before he is good to go. Holloway scores a chipping leg kick and two one-twos, and he blocks a head kick and gives one right back. Holloway digs a right to the head and left to the body, and he slides back out of harm’s way in time to avoid a counter. Allen connects cleanly with a left hand, and Holloway absorbs it without batting an eye. Holloway jabs to the body and eats a low kick, and he keeps his guard up from one up high. Holloway slips a jab to sneak one in, and he plants two fists on the Brit’s mug. When Allen misses on another high kick, Holloway tunes him up with three fast punches. They both land strikes on the outside, and Allen raises his arms up to reset. Holloway stomps at the knee with a kick, and he keeps scooting around the outer edge and away from the high kick. Holloway blocks a body kick, throws one back and ends the combination with a few punches. Holloway sneaks a left over the guard, and he leans back as a head kick whizzes past him. The two men clash leg kicks together, and Allen gives chase with a left hook that misses the mark. Holloway backs Allen up with a short combination, and Allen gathers his thoughts and flicks out a jab. Allen reaches his foe with a left over the top, and Holloway spins all the way through with a kick that glances off Allen’s midsection. Holloway times a body kick and a left hand, surprising Allen but not stunning him. Holloway slips a punch, moves, and reaches up with a head kick right before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Round 2
The fighters half-heartedly touch ‘em up to start off the second stanza, and he shifts to the side when Allen advances with a left hook. Allen aims a pair of kicks to the side, and he gets tripped up and a front kick clicks off the cup. Holloway shakes it off and they do not break, and Allen walks him down and slugs him in the face with a monster left hand. The Hawaiian tanks it and tries to trade back, and he gets clubbed again with a powerful left. Allen slows his barrage when Holloway sticks out a right hand, but he times a left over the jab to tag Holloway again. “Blessed” smacks the lead calf a few times, and it is turning red as Allen surges forward. Allen chambers and fires another left, but Holloway rolls with this one and is not overly concerned. Holloway splits the guard with a jab and marks up Allen’s nose, and he blocks head kick to return one. Holloway jabs the body as he reaches out, and he dodges a heavy strike and avoids a high kick that soars after it. Holloway strings three punches together while Allen is resetting, and he jabs to break up Allen’s looping punches. Holloway wings a right hand, and he follows it with three punches to the head and body. Holloway switches stances repeatedly to give Allen pause, and he hops in with a piercing jab. Allen whiffs on a left hand and connects with a front kick, and he takes a flush body kick that lands with an audible thud. Holloway gets caught with a left hook, and he flings a kick up high and throws one from the other leg that slips under the armpit. Holloway spins with a hook kick, and the horn blares.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Round 3
Allen starts off Round 3 pushing the pace, and he walks into a quick right hand from “Blessed.” Allen returns fire, and his nose is showing some wear. Holloway lines up three punches on the jaw, and Allen has to take a second to gather his thoughts. Allen loads up on a right hook and a big left, and Holloway sees them and defends from the brunt of the damage. Allen gives chase with power punches, and Holloway jabs at him to the head and midsection. Holloway takes a strike to cut the inside of his eyebrow on his left eye, and he dodges the vicious swings to stay safe. Allen blocks a head kick and tags Holloway with two long left hands, and Holloway reaches him with a straight right to the body before leaping back. Holloway slides a kick up high and is backed off with a check right hook, and he slips several punches and sinks in another body kick. Holloway sends Allen backing away with a short combo of punches to bloody the nose, and the Brit waves Herzog off from a possible uncalled foul. Holloway slams his shin on the calf to make Allen’s knee turn in, and he stands right in the pocket to trade. Allen throws a high kick, and Holloway guards it and secures an unblocked kick to the midsection. Allen takes one more heavy kick, and Holloway closes in and gets off a step-in elbow. Holloway flashes out a jab and two punches when Allen bears down on him. Holloway spins with a back fist, and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Round 4
The fighters tap hands to start off the championship rounds, and he races forward to engage. Allen scores a few body shots before backing off, and Holloway lets him so that he can work on the welting calf of his opponent. Holloway jabs the nose, and he walks through a head kick to score a right hand down Broadway. Holloway slows Allen coming forward by pushing off Allen’s knee to potentially hyperextend it, and he darts back when Allen springs into attack mode. Holloway gets off one more kick to the body, and he spins with a kick that misses the mark. Holloway pops Allen with three punches in rapid succession, and he rips the body with a left. Allen gives him one back with a solid right hand, but it is one-and-done while Holloway keeps combinations flowing. Holloway keeps kicking at the knee, and he digs another straight hand to the breadbasket. Chants for “Holloway” rain down in the building as he delivers one more gutbusting kick, and Allen wears it well but is heavily marked up all over. Holloway jumps in, jabs the body, and jumps away. Allen catches a kick and tries to throw Holloway down, and when the Hawaiian will not go down, he tosses a head kick at him. Holloway blocks and circles away, and he guards a second head kick that soon follows. Holloway strides in with an elbow, and Allen catches him with a right. As soon as he does, Holloway is amped up and gives him one right back. Holloway slams a kick to the ribs, and he is answered with a powerful left hook. The former champ does not flinch, and he spins with a wheel kick and drops to a knee. Holloway climbs back up and works the body with a few punches, and he pecks at the knee a few times with his shin or the ball of his foot. Holloway goes up high with a kick, and Allen lunges with a left and gets drilled upside the head with a kick. Allen rushes out with a spin kick, and Holloway concludes the round with a high kick that wraps around the guard.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Round 5
The fighters clap hands to begin the final round, and Allen is ready to throw hammers. He chases Holloway around, knocking him around with big hooks. Allen stings the former champ with a left hand, and Holloway wears it well and escapes. Holloway steps back from an elbow to reach him with a knee, and he spins with an elbow that smashes Allen right on the jaw. Allen takes his foot off the gas when absorbing this heavy blow, and Holloway kicks his side. Allen swings for the fences but cannot reach Holloway with this exchange, and Holloway stands in front of him and puts several punches on the chin. Holloway does work on the lead knee and calf, and he digs a kick to the body that makes Allen rush in and clinch up with him. Holloway pushes him off and gains space, and he kicks the body again and knees it for good measure. Allen lashes out with a right hand, and Holloway dips away from the subsequent blows. Allen kicks Holloway in the head twice, and “Blessed” absorbs them and takes a few more heavy punches as he escapes. Allen lumbers into a winging left hook, and he tosses forth a head kick that slides off the guard. Allen is met with a one-two when trying to go forward again, and Holloway intercepts him with a knee to the ribs. Holloway kicks the side once more, and he ducks a kick that skims his hair. Holloway rolls with looping, dangerous shots, and Allen is emptying the gas tank and takes a spinning back kick to the body. When Holloway lands another kick to the body, he falls over, and Allen lets him up to throw hands. Allen gets too close and ties up, and his mouthpiece flies out. Herzog replaces it while the two are clinched, and Allen tries for a body lock takedown. “Blessed” remains upright and pushes away with seconds to spare. In typical Holloway fashion, he lets the final seconds turn into a mighty brawl. Allen hurts Holloway with an elbow, and Holloway blasts him with a stream of punches that hurt Allen and put him down to a knee. Allen pops back up, looking to trade leather, but time expires. This is a terrific fight in the books, and it was a close one that lived up to the expectations. Even in defeat, Allen’s stock should not fall far, as Holloway is one of a kind and still has not lost a non-title fight in almost 10 years. Next week, the UFC goes back to the Apex with a show featuring a potential heavyweight title eliminator, and we will be here for it. We hope you are too.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Allen (48-47 Holloway)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Allen (48-47 Holloway)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Allen (48-47 Holloway)
The Official Result
Max Holloway def. Arnold Allen via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)
Angelo picks Max Holloway, citing his incredible volume, experience, and size advantage. He notes Holloway is only 31 and has only lost to Volkanovski and Poirier. He acknowledges Holloway has absorbed a lot of damage and his chin may give out eventually, but until then he's riding with him. He has no bet on the main event, preferring to watch without wagering.
Big Brady picks Max Holloway to win by knockout in the fourth or fifth round. He highlights Holloway's unmatched volume and durability, noting that his only recent losses are to Alexander Volkanovski. He believes Arnold Allen's only path to victory is a knockout, which is unlikely given Holloway's chin. He expects Holloway to break Allen late.
Cody acknowledges Holloway's mileage and potential regression, but trusts his proven five-round cardio, durability, and volume. He notes Arnold Allen's low output historically and questions whether Allen can maintain high output for five rounds. He sees Holloway as still the superior fighter, though he admits Allen is improving and could win in a few years.
Connor picks Holloway but expresses hesitation, noting that Allen's southpaw style and counter-punching could pose problems similar to Poirier's approach. He acknowledges Holloway's wear and tear from a long career and many wars, but ultimately trusts Holloway's proven track record against top competition. Connor feels Allen has not yet shown he can maintain the necessary pace and composure for five rounds against Holloway.
Holloway's output and durability will overwhelm Allen, who has benefited from favorable matchmaking and low activity. Holloway's only recent losses are to Volkanovski, and he still performed well against Kattar and Rodriguez. Allen's low output style will be exposed by Holloway's volume and pressure. Expect Holloway to finish late, possibly in rounds 4 or 5.
Paul echoes Cody's reasoning, emphasizing Holloway's incredible volume and durability. He notes that Holloway landed 445 significant strikes against Calvin Kattar, questioning if Arnold Allen can keep that pace. He acknowledges Holloway may be slowing down but still finds it hard to ignore his output.
The MMA Guru picks Max Holloway to win by decision, citing Holloway's volume striking, boxing, chin, and takedown defense. He acknowledges Arnold Allen's power and recent improvements but believes Holloway's experience in championship fights and ability to take three of five rounds will prevail. He notes the -190 line is a bit high and sees value on Allen at +155, but ultimately sides with Holloway.
Zane picks Holloway, acknowledging Allen's southpaw tactics and potential but emphasizing Holloway's proven durability and pace. He notes that Allen's best wins have asterisks (Hooker at wrong weight, Kattar injury) and that Holloway has only lost to elite competition like Volkanovski and Poirier. Zane believes Holloway's volume and pressure will be too much for Allen over five rounds.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arnold Allen | 0 | 14 of 58 | 24% | 14 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Calvin Kattar | 0 | 28 of 67 | 41% | 28 of 67 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:23 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arnold Allen | 0 | 14 of 57 | 24% | 14 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Calvin Kattar | 0 | 27 of 65 | 41% | 27 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:23 | |
| 2 | Arnold Allen | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Calvin Kattar | 0 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arnold Allen | 14 of 58 | 24% | 5 of 47 | 6 of 8 | 3 of 3 | 14 of 58 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Calvin Kattar | 28 of 67 | 41% | 21 of 55 | 2 of 5 | 5 of 7 | 27 of 62 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arnold Allen | 14 of 57 | 24% | 5 of 46 | 6 of 8 | 3 of 3 | 14 of 57 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Calvin Kattar | 27 of 65 | 41% | 21 of 54 | 2 of 5 | 4 of 6 | 26 of 60 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 5 | |
| 2 | Arnold Allen | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Calvin Kattar | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
The two ranked fighters on this fight card – in terms of listings on Sherdog – come to blows in its main event, as impressive technical boxer Kattar (23-6, 7-4 UFC) throws down with the streaking Allen (18-1, 9-0 UFC), who has won all nine of his trips to the UFC cage. Whether he can go 10-0 and put himself on the shortlist for championship contention in the logjammed featherweight category, he will have to get through “The Boston Finisher” first. The stakes are high, and referee Herb Dean is bringing his A-game to the headliner. Gloves are gladly touched, and it’s on with the show. Both men hunt for their range as they face off in alternating stances, pushing out jabs that bump into the other. Allen scores first with a low kick, and he lands a second as Kattar skirts out of the way. Kattar splits the guard with a jab, and Allen ignores it to double down on the calf kick. The defenses are solid thus far, with low accuracy rates and very active blocks, and as a result, they do not sit down on anything of note. Allen scores a single straight left, and Kattar responds with a snapping jab. When Kattar looks to double up on his jab, Allen settles for two kicks including one to the side. Kattar rushes forward with a clean one-two, and Allen shakes it off and walks right into a low kick. Allen gives chase but hits nothing but air, and Kattar pokes with his toes on the midsection. Allen knocks his man a step back with a left hand, and when Kattar attempts to reply, he kicks the upper thigh. Allen has a left hand get around the guard, and he chains several punches together to shake Kattar up. As Kattar backs off, Allen picks it up briefly, but he lets go before Kattar can lean on heavy counters. Allen lands a one-two across the bow, and Kattar largely uses the jab to respond. Allen scores several left hands that get Kattar’s attention, and Kattar’s face has begun to turn red. Allen comfortably lands another left hand, and he stays moving and circles fast. Kattar leaps in the air with a kick and lands awkwardly, and his right knee blows out as he falls to the ground. Allen leaps on top to strike, and he moves to set up a brabo choke but cannot secure it before the round ends. It will be interesting to see if Kattar can make it out of his corner for the second frame given the obvious injury he suffered.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Noah Gagnon scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Round 2
Dean calls in the doctor before the round begins, and Kattar states that he is good to go. Kattar walks around gingerly but he has his balance and can continue. Allen marches forward, knowing what his clear path to victory is, and he lashes out.
“Almighty” unleashes one almighty leg kick to the lead leg of his opponent, and as Kattar attempts to check it, his right knee buckles and gives out beneath him. Kattar falls to the ground in agony and Allen does not go in for the kill as he knows the fight is over. Dean steps between them just to make sure,
and the medical staff races in immediately after the stoppage to tend to the downed Kattar. This is an extremely unfortunate ending to this featherweight headliner, and a difficult pill to swallow for the Brit, who notches his 10th UFC win in a row. Allen is crestfallen, not just because his opponent suffered an injury, but because he states that he does not want to win like that. In his post-fight interview, Allen is put on the spot by commentator Michael Bisping, in which he calls for an interim title shot should champ Alexander Volkanovski move up in weight and be away from the division for a time. He does not call for a specific opponent, although potential options could include Josh Emmett or Yair Rodriguez. If that should come together, we will be here for it. We hope you are too.
The Official Result
Arnold Allen def. Calvin Kattar R2 0:08 via TKO (Knee Injury)
Big Brady picks Calvin Kattar to win by decision. He argues that Kattar's volume and pressure will be too much for Allen, who has shown low output and cardio issues in three-round fights. He notes that Kattar has never been knocked down and has gone five rounds in his last four fights, while Allen has never seen a fourth round. He believes Allen will need to hurt Kattar to win, which is unlikely given Kattar's durability.
Cody argues that Arnold Allen is a low-output fighter who has been carried by close decisions and flashy finishes against declining competition. He points to Allen's low significant strike totals in many fights and notes that Calvin Kattar has landed over 100 significant strikes in his last four fights, has a cast-iron chin, and superior technical boxing and work rate. Cody expects Kattar's volume and five-round experience to wear Allen down over the distance, likely resulting in a close decision win.
Daniel Levi picks Arnold Allen, citing his versatility, southpaw stance with an outside calf kick, and ability to win early rounds. He notes Allen's experience against tough competition and his own money train on Allen. He respects Kattar's durability and iron will but questions the cumulative damage from recent fights. He got Allen at +110 and is confident in the pick, though he acknowledges Kattar could win if Allen fatigues.
Jacob picks Arnold Allen but is scared to death. He notes Allen's counter-striking and wrestling should be key, but Kattar is a better boxer and can mix in wrestling. Jacob worries about Allen facing adversity for the first time. He calls it a coin flip.
Kattar's volume and combination striking will be too much for Allen, who tends to be low-volume and waits for moments. Allen's explosive win over Hooker was against a compromised opponent. Kattar has five-round experience and should outwork Allen over 25 minutes. The plus money on Kattar is excellent value.
Paul agrees with Cody that volume is the deciding factor, noting that Kattar is obscenely durable and has five-round experience. He mentions a prop on Prize Picks for Arnold Allen over 0.5 takedowns, expecting Allen to mix in wrestling but not being a great wrestler. Paul says he'll probably end up with money on Calvin Kattar on Saturday, indicating a betting interest.
The MMA Guru picks Calvin Kattar over Arnold Allen, despite expecting Allen to look great early and possibly break Kattar's nose. He doubts Allen's finishing ability and notes Allen tends to slow down in later rounds, as seen against Sadiq Yusuff. He believes Kattar's experience fighting with a broken nose and his body work will pay off, predicting Kattar wins rounds 3-5 via decision or late TKO.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arnold Allen | 0 | 49 of 84 | 58% | 50 of 85 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Dan Hooker | 0 | 14 of 49 | 28% | 14 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arnold Allen | 0 | 49 of 84 | 58% | 50 of 85 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Dan Hooker | 0 | 14 of 49 | 28% | 14 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arnold Allen | 49 of 84 | 58% | 43 of 78 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 6 | 46 of 75 | 3 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Dan Hooker | 14 of 49 | 28% | 11 of 44 | 0 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 14 of 49 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arnold Allen | 49 of 84 | 58% | 43 of 78 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 6 | 46 of 75 | 3 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Dan Hooker | 14 of 49 | 28% | 11 of 44 | 0 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 14 of 49 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
A high-stakes featherweight matchup serves as UFC London’s co-main event, with Allen (17-1, 8-0 UFC) putting his eight-fight UFC win streak on the line against former lightweight contender Hooker (21-11, 11-7 UFC). What follows next is sure to be frenetic action from bell to bell, and referee Dan Movahedi is on top of this intriguing battle. They are happy to touch gloves first, though, before Hooker flashes out a jab and tries to follow with a right. Hooker walks Allen down with punches and a front kick, and the size difference is apparent early as Hooker uses his long reach. Hooker mixes in punches with low kicks, and he walks through an Allen right hand as if it weren’t there. Allen replies with a leg kick, and he lets his hands go with his opponent and rocks Hooker. Allen starts throwing bungalows, and he continues to batter Hooker and knock him from one side of the cage to the other. “The Hangman” chomps down on his gumshield and throws caution to the wind, hurting Allen right back, but Allen gathers himself and continues his onslaught of punches. Hooker’s durability may be a double-edged sword as he does not ever hit the ground, but he is taking serious damage from Allen’s barrage. Hooker manages to defend himself and escape, and the two have to take a serious breather. They go back to a safer, non-brawling range, and Hooker looks to calm down and find an avenue to attack.
Allen suddenly attacks again, having gotten his wind back, and he lets loose with a one-two that shakes Hooker up. “Almighty” Allen does not let him escape this time, going up high with a kick and then pounding on Hooker as Hooker falls back to the fence. Allen closes in, and he starts ripping elbows amidst the punches, and he is looking to finish the job here. Hooker is barely upright, likely still on his feet because the cage is at his back, and Movahedi is moving in close to get involved. Allen does not relent on his assault, smashing Hooker with punches and nasty elbows until Movahedi has seen enough.
What a furious frenzy for as long as it lasted, and Allen put on a show as he advanced to 9-0 in the UFC. Big fights loom for Britain’s own Allen.
The Official Result
Arnold Allen def. Dan Hooker R1 2:33 via TKO (Punches and Elbows)
Angelo picks Arnold Allen but expresses two concerns: Allen only fights once a year, and Dan Hooker is moving down to featherweight, which could make him big and strong or drained. He notes that Hooker's odds have flipped from underdog to favorite, but he still likes Allen's youth, speed, power, and grappling. He mentions Allen's ability to come back from adversity, like submitting Bernal after being taken down six times.
Big Brady picks Dan Hooker to win by decision, calling it an unpopular opinion. He notes Hooker is moving down to 145 and will have a massive size advantage with four inches in height and five and a half in reach. Brady believes Hooker's takedown defense is good enough to keep the fight standing, and he favors Hooker's output and power over Allen's low volume. He also mentions Allen's best win was against Sadiq Yusuf in a close fight where Allen was outlanded.
Cody picks Hooker, citing Allen's lack of activity and close fights against lower-level opponents. He notes Hooker's volume and pace, and thinks Allen's wrestling won't be enough. He mentions waiting for weigh-ins due to Hooker's weight cut concerns.
Daniel Levi picks Arnold Allen at plus money, having bet him at +105 before the line flipped. He believes Allen is a top prospect flying under the radar, with a well-rounded game and no clear holes. Levi points out that Dan Hooker absorbs too many clean shots, as seen in fights against Poirier, Felder, and Barboza, and that Allen's point-fighting style will exploit that. He also notes the hometown advantage at the O2 Arena, suggesting close decisions will favor Allen. Levi respects Hooker but sees Allen as the future.
Hooker's volume and footwork should outwork Allen, who lacks knockout power (last KO in 2014). Hooker has good takedown defense and can use the big cage to his advantage with a stick-and-move style. Allen's grappling isn't dominant enough to control Hooker. The weight cut to 145 is a concern, but Hooker had a good test cut. I already bet Hooker at -110 and expect a decision win.
Paul picks Hooker, arguing that Allen's winning streak is overrated due to flash knockdowns and low striking output. He believes Hooker's volume and pace will overwhelm Allen, and that Allen's wrestling won't be effective. He also notes Hooker's improved wrestling from the Makhachev fight.
The Guru picks Arnold Allen, surprised he's not a favorite. He believes Dan Hooker's move down to featherweight is risky, citing Hooker's poor head movement and the tough weight cut. He notes Allen's improving skills and power, despite no KOs on record, and predicts a first-round KO. He mentions Hooker's recent domination by Islam Makhachev and questions his motivation.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arnold Allen | 1 | 21 of 61 | 34% | 26 of 68 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 5:09 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 47 of 113 | 41% | 79 of 164 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 2:33 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arnold Allen | 1 | 10 of 28 | 35% | 11 of 30 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:37 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 13 of 30 | 43% | 19 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:09 | |
| 2 | Arnold Allen | 0 | 9 of 27 | 33% | 13 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:01 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 18 of 53 | 33% | 29 of 66 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 | |
| 3 | Arnold Allen | 0 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 2 of 7 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:31 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 16 of 30 | 53% | 31 of 60 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:19 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arnold Allen | 21 of 61 | 34% | 15 of 53 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 1 | 16 of 52 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 3 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 47 of 113 | 41% | 24 of 85 | 12 of 17 | 11 of 11 | 29 of 86 | 18 of 27 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arnold Allen | 10 of 28 | 35% | 8 of 24 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 8 of 24 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 13 of 30 | 43% | 3 of 16 | 5 of 9 | 5 of 5 | 10 of 24 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Arnold Allen | 9 of 27 | 33% | 6 of 24 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 2 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 18 of 53 | 33% | 10 of 45 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 16 of 49 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Arnold Allen | 2 of 6 | 33% | 1 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 16 of 30 | 53% | 11 of 24 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 13 | 13 of 17 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
In what many deemed the likely “Fight of the Night” candidate, the co-main event pits surging featherweights Yusuff (11-1, 4-0 UFC) and Allen (16-1, 7-0 UFC) against one another. Lengthy win streaks for both men are at stake, and even referee Jason Herzog realizes what may be at stake here. There is no touch of gloves, as both throw long strikes at one another instead. Yusuff steps in with a jab, and Allen circles around the outside to take a slapping leg kick. Allen is on his bike early, as Yusuff chases after him and scores a big right hand. When Yusuff aims a body kick, “Almighty” scoops him up and puts him down on his back. Yusuff scoots to the fence to walk up, but Allen keeps his leg trapped to ground the American. Yusuff keeps a guillotine grip tight to defend the position, and the choke is tight as he uses it to sweep Allen and put the Brit on his back. Allen escapes from the position and scampers back to his feet, and Yusuff follows him. The American puts on the pace by landing heavy shots, but Allen fires back with a few heavy punches. When Allen reaches out with a jab, Yusuff blasts him in the lead leg. Both featherweights trade front kicks, and Yusuff comes at him ready to take Allen’s head off. Allen counters with a left hand, and Yusuff bears down on him throwing heavy shots. Allen nails Yusuff with a laser-like left hand and send the American tumbling to the canvas, but Yusuff is able to gather himself and get back up as Allen kicks so hard he falls over. As Yusuff retreat to the cage instead of pursuing his opponent, Allen is able to get back up and rush forward to land a takedown. Yusuff wall-walks to his feet, and Allen grinds him against the fencing. Allen keeps heavy pressure and controls Yusuff against the wire, until Yusuff gains separation and backs off. Allen lands to the body and head, and the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Round 2
Allen leads the dance in the early going until Yusuff turns up the pace and charges forward with punches and kicks. Allen goes back to his circling around the outside as Yusuff marches him down to throw big shots. Allen is able to escape any meaningful strikes, and he blocks a thudding left hand but eats a right on the chin. Allen absorbs a jab and scores an uppercut, and Yusuff is back to stalking him down. The Brit just comes up short with a left hand, and Yusuff takes some power off his shots so that he can land more effectively. Both men connect with shots, and Allen starts to swing wildly and whiff repeatedly. Allen digs a left hand to the body, and Yusuff pays it no mind as he pops Allen with a leg kick. Allen tries to catch it, but he sets it down when Yusuff loops a right hand at him. Allen blasts Yusuff with a clean head kick, and Yusuff takes a moment before reacting, as he wobbles back on baby deer legs. “Almighty” tries to impose his might, but he cannot get the finish as Yusuff regains his bearings and fights off a potential takedown attempt. The pace wanes as Yusuff kicks Allen in the chest, and Allen retreats on the outskirts of the cage as Yusuff kicks him in the ear leg. Allen comes up short with a counter, and he ties up Yusuff to bully him into the chain links. Yusuff kicks off the cage but cannot break this grip or get any distance, and Allen grinds him for the good part of a minute until Yusuff finally gets free. Allen has a head kick blocked, and Yusuff races forward for a final barrage but does not throw anything before the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Round 3
Yusuff starts the round aggressively, only for Allen to turn him around and pursue a single leg takedown almost immediately. The American stuffs it and is pinned against the fence, with Allen trying to lift up his opponent’s leg. When Yusuff pushes off, he just misses with a head kick. Yusuff stuffs a takedown attempt in the center of the cage, and he circles around to lock on with a guillotine choke. Allen frees his neck and spins him around to attack a double, and Yusuff sprawls against the fence before turning around. Yusuff looks to knee his man in the head, but Allen keeps his hands on the canvas to make him a downed fighter. Yusuff does not make the mistake many have been making lately, and instead pulls Allen’s hands off the mat to knee him a few times. The two rising featherweights jockey for position until they break, and they come out swinging. Yusuff starts loading up on shots, and Allen is able to sneak in an uppercut but gets cracked. Yusuff bites down on his mouthpiece and throws heavy shots until Allen ties him up, and the time just ticks by in this position. Yusuff occasionally brings up knees to the thigh to little effect, and Allen smartly keeps hold of underhooks to trap Yusuff in this placement. The clinch walks into the center of the cage, and Yusuff gets of a few solid knees to the body until Allen turns the tables and pushes the American back into the fencing. A single leg takedown attempt allows Allen to stall out much of the rest of the round, with Yusuff elbowing him in the side of the head until Allen abandons it. With a second or two to spare, Allen separates to wing a spinning back elbow, and the fight ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Yusuff (29-28 Allen)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Yusuff (29-28 Allen)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Yusuff (29-28 Allen)
The Official Result
Arnold Allen def. Sodiq Yusuff via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Big Brady slightly leans toward Yusuff, citing his power, volume, and pressure. He notes that Yusuff lands 6.10 significant strikes per minute with 49% accuracy, while Allen is defensively sound but lower volume. Brady thinks the smaller cage favors Yusuff's pressure. However, he is not overly confident and acknowledges Allen's defensive skills and the money coming in on Allen. He has no bet on this fight.
Cody picks Yusuff, praising his refined Muay Thai and well-rounded game. He notes Yusuff's losses are old and he's improved, while Allen relies on grappling but may not get takedowns. He thinks Yusuff wins striking exchanges and has better cardio.
Daniel Levi picks Sodiq Yusuff, giving him a slight edge due to his 'Nigerian horsepower' and superior grappling, particularly his top control and get-up game reminiscent of Jose Aldo. He notes that Yusuff has been wobbled in fights but recovers quickly due to his conditioning. Levi respects Arnold Allen's clean boxing and fight IQ but thinks Yusuff's power and wrestling might be the difference. He calls it a high-level fight that could go either way.
The host likes Allen's technical striking, balance, and defensive soundness. He thinks Allen will be faster to the punch and that Yusuff's chin is suspect. He picks Allen to win by decision, noting that the line is close and that Allen offers good value as a slight underdog.
Paul picks Yusuff, highlighting his striking advantage and Allen's reliance on grappling. He notes Allen's close fights and favorable matchmaking, while Yusuff is sharper and has better cardio. He suggests the fight goes the distance.
The MMA Guru picks Arnold Allen as an underdog, noting he would have picked him even as a slight favorite. He believes Allen has better technique, more experience, and a proven chin, while Yusuff has been rocked in past fights. He thinks Allen will use straight shots, calf kicks, and front kicks to outpoint Yusuff, who relies on looping hooks. He mentions Allen's broken hand in the Nick Lentz fight but still won every round. He predicts a 30-27 unanimous decision for Allen.
Melquizael Costa - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arnold Allen | 1 | 98 of 152 | 64% | 156 of 222 | 7 of 7 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 9:28 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 100 of 254 | 39% | 118 of 280 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:45 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arnold Allen | 1 | 9 of 9 | 100% | 18 of 20 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:44 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 10 of 14 | 71% | 19 of 25 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:45 | |
| 2 | Arnold Allen | 0 | 23 of 38 | 60% | 28 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:36 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 26 of 78 | 33% | 28 of 81 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Arnold Allen | 0 | 32 of 52 | 61% | 44 of 66 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:22 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 30 of 71 | 42% | 30 of 72 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Arnold Allen | 0 | 23 of 36 | 63% | 26 of 41 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:43 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 23 of 63 | 36% | 24 of 67 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Arnold Allen | 0 | 11 of 17 | 64% | 40 of 51 | 4 of 4 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:03 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 11 of 28 | 39% | 17 of 35 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arnold Allen | 98 of 152 | 64% | 81 of 134 | 6 of 7 | 11 of 11 | 79 of 131 | 0 of 2 | 19 of 19 |
| Melquizael Costa | 100 of 254 | 39% | 47 of 173 | 20 of 42 | 33 of 39 | 97 of 249 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arnold Allen | 9 of 9 | 100% | 8 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 5 |
| Melquizael Costa | 10 of 14 | 71% | 5 of 8 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | |
| 2 | Arnold Allen | 23 of 38 | 60% | 16 of 31 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 5 | 23 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Melquizael Costa | 26 of 78 | 33% | 8 of 49 | 5 of 14 | 13 of 15 | 26 of 78 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Arnold Allen | 32 of 52 | 61% | 27 of 47 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 25 of 45 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 7 |
| Melquizael Costa | 30 of 71 | 42% | 14 of 49 | 7 of 13 | 9 of 9 | 30 of 71 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Arnold Allen | 23 of 36 | 63% | 20 of 33 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 23 of 35 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Melquizael Costa | 23 of 63 | 36% | 10 of 41 | 4 of 11 | 9 of 11 | 23 of 63 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Arnold Allen | 11 of 17 | 64% | 10 of 15 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 1 | 7 of 7 |
| Melquizael Costa | 11 of 28 | 39% | 10 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 11 of 26 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 1 |
Angelo picks Arnold Allen, believing he is cleaner, faster, and more experienced. He is not worried about Costa's grappling and thinks Allen will control the striking. He notes Costa has random power but sees no reason Allen is chinny. He expects Allen to be a step ahead.
Big Brady picks Arnold Allen despite not being a fan, citing the five-round distance as key. He expects Costa to fade in later rounds, as seen in his previous fights. He predicts a decision win for Allen, noting that if it were three rounds, he might pick Costa.
Cody leans toward Arnold Allen due to his experience in five-round fights and higher level of competition, despite a 1-3 record in his last four. He notes Allen's ability to win rounds against elite fighters like Max Holloway and Movsar Evloev, and expects his cardio to be an advantage as the fight progresses. However, he is hesitant to bet the current -155 line and prefers to play Allen in the live market if he loses early rounds. He acknowledges Melquizael Costa's recent knockout power and higher volume, but worries about Costa's cardio in a five-round fight.
Costa is more technical and dynamic on the feet, but may fade in later rounds. Allen is tough, durable, and has good cardio. If Costa's gas tank holds, he wins; if not, Allen takes over. Lean Allen but not betting.
Lucrative James picks Arnold Allen to win, citing Allen's superior five-round experience, size, and ability to close distance against kickers like Costa. He believes Costa's recent knockout streak is not repeatable and that Allen's losses to elite fighters (Max Holloway, Movsar Evloev, Jean Silva) were competitive. He also notes Allen's grappling advantage and the small cage benefiting Allen's pressure style.
The host picks Arnold Allen but is hesitant due to the chalky odds. He expects Allen to land more significant damage, but acknowledges Costa's volume and aggression could cause issues. He believes Allen's veteran savvy and five-round experience will lead to a decision win.
The host leans with the veteran Allen due to his experience and ability to potentially exploit Costa's aggressive style, especially in a five-round fight. However, he is not confident enough to bet Allen at -180, as he has never been high on Allen. He predicts Allen wins by decision and might consider the over.
Paul is not passionate about the main event but leans toward Melquizael Costa if forced to make a play. He notes that Costa has been on a good run and that Arnold Allen has never been knocked down in the UFC, but Costa seems to be putting it together. He is not confident enough to bet pre-fight and will focus on live markets instead.
The host leans towards Max Holloway because the fight is five rounds, which favors Holloway's cardio and experience. He notes that Arnold Allen tends to break his hand and slow down in later rounds, as seen in the Sadiq Yusuf fight. He believes Allen will win the first two rounds but fade, allowing Holloway to potentially finish in rounds 4 or 5. He also mentions Holloway's durability and volume punching.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Ige | 0 | 7 of 11 | 63% | 12 of 16 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:31 |
| Melquizael Costa | 1 | 19 of 40 | 47% | 26 of 48 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:32 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dan Ige | 0 | 7 of 11 | 63% | 12 of 16 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:31 |
| Melquizael Costa | 1 | 19 of 40 | 47% | 26 of 48 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:32 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Ige | 7 of 11 | 63% | 2 of 5 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Melquizael Costa | 19 of 40 | 47% | 9 of 26 | 7 of 9 | 3 of 5 | 13 of 29 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 6 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dan Ige | 7 of 11 | 63% | 2 of 5 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Melquizael Costa | 19 of 40 | 47% | 9 of 26 | 7 of 9 | 3 of 5 | 13 of 29 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 6 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Jacob Montalvo is the referee. Ige takes the center, kicks the leg and then lands a takedown. Costa is right back up as Ige presses him into the cage. Ige with a shoulder strike from the clinch. Costa is able to toss Ige to the canvas and then lands a knee to the body as his foe stands. They’re battling it out in the clinch, and Costa drives a couple knees to the midsection. Costa with another knee and then he shoves Ige away. Costa goes high with a kick, but Ige has his guard up .Another high kick from Costa is blocked. Costa follows yet another head kick with a front kick down the middle. Another front kick has hurt Ige, but he keeps his wits to survive a follow-up barrage from his foe. Costa steps in with an elbow, then lands a knee as he slides out of range. Ige forces the clinch, but Costa knees and separates. Costa follows a side kick to the body with a left hand. A leg kick lands on Ige. Costa backs up to the fence but leaps in with a knee.
With time winding down, Costa drops Ige with a beautiful spinning back kick to the jaw. Ige covers up on the canvas, and Costa unloads with about seven to eight standing-to-ground punches before Montalvo steps in to wave off the fight.
Costa has his sixth straight UFC win and in the process becomes the first person to finish Ige in 30 professional fights.
The Official Result
Melquizael Costa def. Dan Ige via TKO (Spinning Back Kick and Punches) R1 4:56
Angelo picks Melquizael Costa, citing his speed, busy style, and well-rounded skills. He respects Dan Ige's toughness and experience but believes Costa is the rising star. He also suggests a plus 3.5 bet on Ige as a potential prop, noting Ige often wins rounds even in losses.
Big Brady picks Melquizael Costa to defeat Dan Ige, citing Costa's hot streak and superior minute-winning. He notes Costa has more tools on the feet, including kicks, and that Ige is hittable and tends to lose decisions. He is concerned about Ige's last performance against Pitbull, where he did nothing. He predicts Costa will win by decision, picking him apart with volume. He mentions the line moved from -120 to -185, indicating public money on Costa.
Cody likes Ige at plus money, citing his recent performances against top competition (Diego Lopez, Lerone Murphy, Patricio Pitbull) where he won rounds. He thinks Costa's wrestling isn't proven and that Ige's cardio and power in later rounds give him an edge. He expects a decision win for Ige.
Connor picks Ige but with caution, noting that Costa is an opportunistic fighter who has been winning but often in messy ways. He points out that Costa tends to fade in the third round and that Ige is durable and a good counter puncher. He also notes that Ige has been impossible to finish and that Costa's lack of process could be exploited by Ige's experience.
The host favors Costa stylistically due to his size, length, and technical striking, but considers the odds too steep to bet. He notes both fighters are weak on the ground, and Ige has one-shot knockout power, making Costa a risky bet at -224. He passes on betting either side.
James picks Dan Ige as the betting side, believing Ige has better pocket boxing and power, and that Costa's cardio and durability are questionable. He notes that Ige has faced much tougher competition and that Costa's recent wins are over lesser opponents. James expects Ige to get a knockout, possibly in the later rounds as Costa fades.
Costa is on a five-fight winning streak with good activity and a kicking game that should trouble Ige. Ige is a veteran boxer but has struggled against high-volume strikers. Costa's range and kicks should keep Ige at bay, and he should land the more significant strikes. Ige could have success if he crashes the pocket, but Costa should win a decision.
Paul agrees with Cody, noting Ige's ability to win rounds against elite fighters. He points out that Costa has slowed down in later rounds and that Ige's takedown defense has improved. He thinks the fight goes to decision and Ige's experience gives him the edge.
The MMA Guru picks Dan Ige by TKO, feeling that Ige's composure and power will catch Costa. He notes that Costa sometimes throws lazy kicks and can be caught on the back foot. He believes Ige is the highest-level opponent Costa has faced and can time him for a KO.
Zane also picks Ige with the same caution, agreeing that Costa's success is partly smoke and mirrors. He notes that Costa is not a process-driven fighter and that opponents who are resilient tend to do better against him as the fight goes on. He believes Ige's counter-punching and durability will be key, but acknowledges Costa could win if he lands a big shot early.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melquizael Costa | 1 | 4 of 9 | 44% | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Morgan Charrière | 0 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melquizael Costa | 1 | 4 of 9 | 44% | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Morgan Charrière | 0 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melquizael Costa | 4 of 9 | 44% | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 5 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Morgan Charrière | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melquizael Costa | 4 of 9 | 44% | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 5 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Morgan Charrière | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Costa (-110); Charriere (-110)
Round 1
Finally settling on a suitable—and spectacular—nickname, Costa (24-7, 5-2 UFC) now goes by “The Dalmatian” rather than some version of his name or a riff on some inside joke no one gets. He faces an equally dramatic traveler, Charriere (21-11-1, 3-2 UFC), who used to go by the nickname of “Luffy” in honor of the main character from anime series “One Piece.” There will be no Gum Gum attacks in the cage as long as referee Eric McMahon is in charge. The featherweights race towards one another, not bothering to touch gloves as Costa moves right to the center of the cage.
Costa pitches out a low kick and then one to the liver, the latter landing loudly. Charriere kicks him back, resulting in a back-and-forth kick-off. Costa aims a push kick to the knee of his foe, and he splits the guard with a jab.
Out of nowhere, “The Dalmatian” drops down and hurls a missile of a high kick, who falls to the floor off-balance. Before he hits the deck, his foot wraps just around the guard enough to completely separate Charriere from his senses. Even with Charriere blocking it, the sheer impact was enough to completely neutralize him.
Charriere collapses to his back, limbs seemingly stricken by rigor mortis, his eyes wide open but no one is home. Costa scoots back up to his feet and is about to drop down a punctuating blow, but he peels off seeing that his work here is done. After a very brief celebratory hoot, Costa drops to his knees in the center of the cage respectfully as he waits for Charriere to recover. Thankfully, Charriere sits up and is able to return to his feet before long, but he needs to be assisted out of the cage with someone having their arm around him. It is an emotional moment for the pink and blue-haired featherweight who may have just earned the biggest win of his career in ultra-violent fashion.
The Official Result
Melquizael Costa def. Morgan Charriere R1 1:14 via KO (Head Kick)
Cody picks Costa, citing his well-rounded game, durability, and ability to mix striking with takedowns. He notes Charrière's low volume and tendency to wait, while Costa is more active and willing to push the pace. He expects Costa to win a decision.
Lucrative James leans toward Morgan Charrière, citing his ability to dictate where the fight takes place and his power advantage. However, he admits it's a 50/50 fight and not confident, noting Charrière's inconsistent fight IQ and Costa's kicking and grappling skills. He projects even odds at -110 each.
Paul also picks Costa, emphasizing his blend of skills and recent submission streak. He thinks Charrière is skilled but often does not do enough, while Costa's forward pressure and grappling will secure the win. He suggests Costa by decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Julian Erosa | 0 | 69 of 173 | 39% | 85 of 202 | 3 of 10 | 30% | 0 | 0 | 3:34 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 102 of 204 | 50% | 128 of 236 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 0:23 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Julian Erosa | 0 | 10 of 26 | 38% | 10 of 27 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:36 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 32 of 75 | 42% | 32 of 75 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 | |
| 2 | Julian Erosa | 0 | 23 of 54 | 42% | 30 of 62 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:56 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 33 of 55 | 60% | 47 of 70 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 0:08 | |
| 3 | Julian Erosa | 0 | 36 of 93 | 38% | 45 of 113 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:02 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 37 of 74 | 50% | 49 of 91 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Julian Erosa | 69 of 173 | 39% | 42 of 140 | 18 of 24 | 9 of 9 | 55 of 150 | 13 of 21 | 1 of 2 |
| Melquizael Costa | 102 of 204 | 50% | 67 of 160 | 16 of 22 | 19 of 22 | 99 of 196 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Julian Erosa | 10 of 26 | 38% | 5 of 19 | 1 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 9 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 |
| Melquizael Costa | 32 of 75 | 42% | 14 of 52 | 7 of 10 | 11 of 13 | 32 of 73 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Julian Erosa | 23 of 54 | 42% | 11 of 40 | 8 of 10 | 4 of 4 | 15 of 43 | 8 of 11 | 0 of 0 |
| Melquizael Costa | 33 of 55 | 60% | 25 of 46 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 31 of 53 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Julian Erosa | 36 of 93 | 38% | 26 of 81 | 9 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 31 of 83 | 5 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Melquizael Costa | 37 of 74 | 50% | 28 of 62 | 6 of 8 | 3 of 4 | 36 of 70 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Costa (-192), Erosa (+160)
Round 1
Although much can be said about the state of UFC matchmaking as of late, the promotion knew exactly what it was doing when it matched Erosa (31-11, 9-7 UFC) against Costa (23-7, 4-2 UFC). It chose violence. The featherweights will go for broke under the watchful eye of referee Herb Dean, and they get right to it after embracing the formality of bumping fists. Costa prods with the ball of his foot, looking for low kicks as Erosa walks him down. Costa keeps working on the front leg as Erosa gives him one back, and Erosa grabs his foe’s foot and lifts it up. Costa bounces off the fence to get his limb back, and he whiffs on two hooks. Costa scores a body kick as he stays on the outside, and after pitching a leg kick, he trips on the edge of the cage but does not fall over. Erosa lets him get up and continues to trade kicks with him, and Costa mixes things up with a surprise Superman punch. Costa follows it with a booming head kick that rocks “Juicy J,” who backs off to the fence but is still dangerous as a coiled snake. Costa walks forward to throw bombs, and Erosa snipes him with a mean right hand that makes him think twice. Erosa gets his legs back beneath him and blocks a head kick, walking Costa down but taking three punches on the chin to do so. Erosa fakes a spin and lunges forward with an elbow, slipping and falling over. Costa lets him up so he can leap at him with a knee, and he chains punches into a body kick as Erosa is now the one retreating. Costa parries a few punches and lets fly a left hand, and his second effort reaches his man. Costa wraps a head kick around the guard and Erosa shrugs it off, nailing Costa with a right hand over the top. Erosa jumps at his foe to attack, and Costa times a spinning back kick that pounds into the cup. Erosa grumbles and adjusts his groin supporter before waving Dean off. Costa lets his foe’s fists and feet whiz past him so he can deliver a hard body kick, and Erosa fakes his way in to take the fight down. Erosa whips Costa all the way around to take him down, and he slashes down with an elbow as soon as he gets to side control. Costa is warned for having his toes in the cage, and Erosa drops down a few punches and leans back to watch an upkick buzz past him at the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Round 2
Costa’s left foot is leaking blood as the second round begins, but he shrugs it off and touches gloves with his opponent. Erosa gets right into attack mode, firing off a head kick and a right hand but getting countered with a left and a body kick. Costa belts “Juicy J” with a left hand, and Erosa bites down on his mouthpiece to unload a power punch. Costa shakes Erosa up with a one-two, and Erosa again has to recover before coming forward. The punches of Costa make Erosa pursue a takedown, and Costa defends with a guillotine choke and stands back up to re-secure it. Erosa holds on and leverages Costa back down, but he in submission danger again. Costa lets go before burning his arms out, and he stands up. Erosa leans on from behind, his left eye swelling up fast. Costa defends a takedown effort and keeps his balance, stomping Erosa’s foot and receiving an elbow in the face for his effort. As Erosa is leaning heavily on his man, Costa sweeps his leg and puts him down for a second. Erosa climbs back up and walks through a one-two. Costa reaches the Washington native at the end of a left hand, and Erosa fires back with a vengeance. They reach one another with long punches, and instead of clinching, Erosa pushes off and shrugs at him. Costa lines up a solid crescent kick that hits the target, and Erosa goes for broke with punches and kicks to any target he can find. Erosa pokes Costa in the eye, and Costa tells them he is fine and keeps going. Erosa thanks him by drilling a spinning back kick in his ribs, and Costa laughs it off and throws hammers. Erosa staggers Costa with a pair of hooks, and a grinning Costa swings back with bad intentions and rocks Erosa. Erosa spins through to hit Costa in the face with his foot, and he knocks Costa across the cage with a left hand right before the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Erosa
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Round 3
While Erosa does touch gloves, he is a man on a mission. Walking Costa down immediately, he swings his way into a clinch. Erosa leans on the Brazilian to slow him down, getting off the occasional knee until Costa trips him and sets him down. Erosa responds by nailing Costa with an upkick and working his way to his feet, where he backs “Melk” off and dislodges his mouthpiece with a right hand. He follows with another right hand to lead into a clinch, and Costa backs off with a left hook. The two clash heads after Erosa lands an uppercut, and “Juicy J” pours it on while swinging wildly. Costa’s head movement keeps him relatively safe, and he blasts Erosa in the jaw with four punches in a combination. Erosa’s movement leads him to banging into the fence, but he is quick to shake it off and uppercut Costa in the chops. Erosa continues staying in Costa’s face, with punches that lead to an elbow as Costa is backing off but smiling. Erosa lines up punches in bunches, and his elbows are not accurate. They proceed to brawl it out with little regard to defense or cardio, and even though Costa is fatigued, he is still loading up with everything he has. Thankfully for those watching this carnage, Erosa is doing just the same, as they proceed to hammer one another in the jaw again and again. Costa trips Erosa up to get a second to breathe, and he backs off to avoid an upkick and let Erosa stand. Erosa marches ever forward, swinging recklessly while Costa is giving it back when he can. Costa takes several punches square on the jaw and offers up a knee, and Erosa spins with a back fist. A second and third back fist from Erosa do manage to rail into the Brazilian, who is as tough as nails and never falters. The action-packed “Fight of the Night” candidate goes the distance, and both exhausted men raise their arms. The second round may be where the victor emerges.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Erosa (29-28 Erosa)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Costa (29-28 Costa)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Costa (29-28 Costa)
The Official Result
Melquizael Costa def. Julian Erosa via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Melquizael Costa with high confidence, stating that Costa should be better everywhere. He notes Costa's creative striking, solid grappling, and incredible scrambles. His only concern is Costa's activity level, as this will be his fifth fight in 12 months, which could lead to nagging injuries or fatigue. However, Angelo is not overly concerned and expects Costa to win.
Big Brady picks Julian Erosa as a dog, acknowledging Costa could knock him out early. He notes Costa's quick turnaround and tendency to slow down, while Erosa has great cardio and a nasty choke game. He predicts Erosa wins by second-round submission if it gets extended.
The host notes Costa's aggressiveness and unorthodox striking can catch Erosa off guard, especially since six of Erosa's seven losses have come by knockout. He feels Costa can take advantage of Erosa's mistakes and get a finish. He also likes the under 2.5 rounds.
The Guru picks Melquizael Costa, calling him a fellow 'fraud checker' who can handle Julian Erosa's gritty style. He notes Costa's grappling looked improved against Christian Rodriguez and his kicks are very good. He worries about Erosa's upset potential but believes Costa is better and more active. He predicts a TKO or decision win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Rodriguez | 0 | 64 of 98 | 65% | 77 of 113 | 6 of 15 | 40% | 1 | 1 | 6:48 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 65 of 105 | 61% | 159 of 208 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 3 | 4:53 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christian Rodriguez | 0 | 11 of 14 | 78% | 12 of 15 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 1 | 0 | 2:07 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 22 of 32 | 68% | 63 of 73 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 2:12 | |
| 2 | Christian Rodriguez | 0 | 19 of 27 | 70% | 24 of 33 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 1 | 1:42 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 26 of 40 | 65% | 71 of 93 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 1 | 2:24 | |
| 3 | Christian Rodriguez | 0 | 34 of 57 | 59% | 41 of 65 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 2:59 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 17 of 33 | 51% | 25 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:17 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Rodriguez | 64 of 98 | 65% | 36 of 69 | 23 of 24 | 5 of 5 | 29 of 53 | 26 of 31 | 9 of 14 |
| Melquizael Costa | 65 of 105 | 61% | 39 of 72 | 19 of 25 | 7 of 8 | 19 of 47 | 17 of 23 | 29 of 35 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christian Rodriguez | 11 of 14 | 78% | 3 of 5 | 8 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 9 of 11 | 0 of 0 |
| Melquizael Costa | 22 of 32 | 68% | 5 of 11 | 15 of 19 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 9 | 8 of 12 | 10 of 11 | |
| 2 | Christian Rodriguez | 19 of 27 | 70% | 8 of 16 | 9 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 18 | 9 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Melquizael Costa | 26 of 40 | 65% | 21 of 32 | 2 of 4 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 11 | 7 of 8 | 16 of 21 | |
| 3 | Christian Rodriguez | 34 of 57 | 59% | 25 of 48 | 6 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 17 of 32 | 8 of 11 | 9 of 14 |
| Melquizael Costa | 17 of 33 | 51% | 13 of 29 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 27 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Rodriguez (-148), Costa (+124)
Round 1
If the UFC isn’t careful, a fight might break out in the cage with this next one. Having bounced back from his first career stoppage loss well enough, Rodriguez (12-2, 5-2 UFC) is looking to put himself on another win streak. To get that going, he will have to get past the recently renamed “Melk Cauthy” Costa (22-7, 3-2 UFC), a name more in line with Costa’s preference for the knockout—or, nocaute. Fists are bumped before they are traded, as the featherweights are joined in the Octagon by referee Fernando Salas Navarro. Costa pump-fakes several times to get started, setting up a high kick with it that does not get through. His low kicks do trip up Rodriguez, who hits his knees and bounces back up to tie Costa up against the wall. Rodriguez peppers the ribs with knees on either sides, and Costa responds with short punches to the side of the dome when not fighting to keep his balance. A body lock and trip from Rodriguez allows him to get Costa down for a split-second, only to have to settle for pushing Costa against the wire again. They jockey for position against the wire, and Rodriguez sells out to drag Costa down to the floor as they hit the ground together. They spring right back upright while still in the tie-up, with Costa stomping the toes and kneeing the body. Costa softens the side up with several punches, and Rodriguez finally hits the sweep he was looking for and puts Costa down. Costa gets back up as fast as he can, and he keeps his hand on the ground to defend himself from knees to the head. Rodriguez suddenly snatches up a brabo choke and twirls Costa around, and the Brazilian does not panic in the slightest and not only escapes it, but flips Rodriguez over to establish top position. Costa attacks the body with elbows, and when Rodriguez explodes back upright, Costa chases him with a single strike before the horn sounds to end the close round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Round 2
Rodriguez is the initial aggressor in the round, taking it to Costa with punches and kicks. Costa pushes off with the ball of his foot, sending Rodriguez down to the mat for a second. Rodriguez jumps back up, elbows Costa in the noggin and initiates the clinch. Costa breaks free and plants a body kick on the side of his foe, and a second comes up short. Rodriguez jabs his way into a right hand, and Costa counters him with a clean right that drops Rodriguez to his knees. Rodriguez regains his footing and clinches heavily, and he fights off a sweep attempt and turns to avoid a slashing elbow when back tied up. They continue to deliver short strikes to one another, and Rodriguez lands his foot sweep and places Costa on his back. Costa returns upright after a second, where he re-engages in a clinch. Rodriguez ducks down for a level change, and Costa knees Rodriguez in the side of the head and hurts him badly. Rodriguez scrambles to try to keep himself in the fight and not taking much more damage, and he lets Costa’s punches rebound off his guard. Costa wraps up an unusual arm-in guillotine choke from the side, partially a bulldog choke, and Rodriguez stays composed and twists out of it. Costa throws Rodriguez to his back, blood streaming down the left eye of “CeeRod,” and he postures up to jack Rodriguez up with elbows and punches. Rodriguez attempts a guillotine off his back to stop Costa from hitting him, but Costa breaks out of it and drops down more strikes including an axe kick to the chest before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Round 3
Rodriguez races out of his corner to engage, where he kicks his way into close range and sets up a trip. “CeeRod” hits the sweep—the same one he has been attempting the whole fight—and Costa finds himself on his back playing jiu-jitsu. The Brazilian looks for a kimura in hopes of sweeping, and although he takes a clean elbow on the melon, he turns the tables on Rodriguez and takes his back standing. They continue to roll and twist, and Rodriguez keeps Costa tied up and bullies him to the fencing. Rodriguez uses his elbows to fluster Costa from up close when not looking for another sweep, and he takes Costa off his feet for a moment. Costa climbs back up, elbows his foe in the chin and frames off to take a breath. Rodriguez is quick to impose his weight on him, and he trips Costa up again for good measure. Costa stands and avoids an elbow that soars at him, and he gets pulled back to the floor. Rodriguez tries to take his back, and he slides off. “CeeRod” races back to his feet and rails Costa with a right hand, stunning him for a moment and giving him openings to find more punches and a step-in knee. Costa pushes off with a front kick, and Rodriguez shrugs at him. Costa knees him again, but not before getting clipped with a barrage of punches. Costa whiffs on a two-punch flurry and hits his back from an easy foot sweep from Rodriguez. Rodriguez sits up in the guard and drops down hammers, with Costa faded just enough to not offer resistance to force a standup. Rodriguez rains down a bombardment of hammerfists, including one raised from the ceiling all the way to the floor, and the crowd is loving it. Rodriguez keeps hammering away, and Costa survives to make it the distance.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez (29-28 Rodriguez)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez (29-28 Costa)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez (29-28 Rodriguez)
The Official Result
Melquizael Costa def. Christian Rodriguez via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Connor picks Rodriguez, noting his excellent wrestling and grappling defense against powerful wrestlers. He thinks Costa's structureless, erratic style will play into Rodriguez's hands, allowing him to show offensive wrestling. However, he cautions that Rodriguez can be too defensive on the feet, as seen against Julian Erosa.
Zane picks Rodriguez, emphasizing that he is a much better fighter than Costa. He notes that Rodriguez has feasted on raw fighters who expect to blow him out, and Costa's experience and guillotine threat are concerns but not enough to change the pick. Zane thinks Rodriguez deserves to be a bigger favorite.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Fili | 0 | 7 of 24 | 29% | 7 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 27 of 56 | 48% | 27 of 56 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andre Fili | 0 | 7 of 24 | 29% | 7 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 27 of 56 | 48% | 27 of 56 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Fili | 7 of 24 | 29% | 4 of 20 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Melquizael Costa | 27 of 56 | 48% | 3 of 25 | 10 of 13 | 14 of 18 | 26 of 55 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andre Fili | 7 of 24 | 29% | 4 of 20 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Melquizael Costa | 27 of 56 | 48% | 3 of 25 | 10 of 13 | 14 of 18 | 26 of 55 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
A veritable chasm of UFC-level experience separates the next two featherweights, with grizzled Team Alpha Male product Fili (24-11, 1 NC; 12-10, 1 NC UFC) looking to hold the line and remind folks he is still very much a factor. Like Fili, Costa’s (21-7, 2-2 UFC) tenure thus far has been somewhat inconsistent but fairly violent. Referee Jeff Hoiby draws the charge between the two, and the local man Fili has no time for a glove touch as he wants to get going immediately. Fili chases his foe around the cage, looking for his jab. Costa backs him off briefly with a pair of high kicks, and he doubles up on leg kicks as well. Fili walks through everything pitched at him to sling leather, including a right left hand that zips through his guard. “Let’s go Fili” chants boom through the building, and they both fire off head kicks. Fili’s gets his foe’s attention, with Costa smiling at him. They decide to throw caution to the wind for a moment and brawl with no interest in defense, and they tag one another cleanly but do not budge. Costa backs off and fires off a wheel kick, and he settles himself to chop at the Washington-based fighter’s knee with oblique kicks. Costa rips a kick to the ribs as Fili is marching ever forward, and he narrowly evades getting his chin checked with a low kick but still walks into a left hook. Fili blocks a high kick but cannot stop a body kick, and he plods forward, energized by “USA” chants. Fili whiffs on a head kick, unable to lock his foe down, and he brushes his shoulder when Costa misses as well. Fili blocks a kick and hurls one right back, and Costa breathes a sight of relief and strikes back with a high kick. Fili motions that he protected himself from it, and Costa stays on his bike prodding with oblique kicks. Fili connects with a heavy body kick, dodges one that comes back and makes a matador motion. Fili takes a kick and shoots in for a takedown, and when he hits it,
Costa wraps up a guillotine choke and wrenches with all his might. The Brazilian clings to the choke, which is not going anywhere as he has it tight as a drum with his right leg wrapped around Fili’s waist. Fili is fine until suddenly he is not, and he frantically taps out.
The stunned audience is silenced in a second, as the hometown fighter surrenders from the submission and walks off disappointed that he got caught. Meanwhile, Costa has just earned the biggest win of his career, and he goes off to celebrate with teammate Joanderson Brito who previously put Fili away in the first round.
The Official Result
Melquizael Costa def. Andre Fili R1 4:30 via Submission (Guillotine Choke)
Big Brady picks the underdog Melquizael Costa, noting that Andre Fili's durability is declining after many wars, and he was dropped and knocked out recently. He thinks Costa is younger, has more tools on the feet with hard kicks to head, legs, and body, and has solid grappling with seven takedowns in his last three fights. He expects a close fight going to decision, with Costa winning a close decision.
The host acknowledges the fight is close as odds indicate, but believes Fili's strength of schedule, experience, and unorthodox striking will shut down Costa's grappling. He expects Fili to win on the scorecards, possibly by split decision.
The Guru hesitantly picks Fili, noting he never likes picking him but sees Costa as getting 'fraud checked'. He values Fili's win over Cub Swanson and thinks Costa's loss to Thiago Moisés is a bad look. He expects Fili to mix in grappling in the second and third rounds and win a close decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 16 of 35 | 45% | 76 of 106 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 2 | 1 | 3:00 |
| Shayilan Nuerdanbieke | 0 | 6 of 8 | 75% | 20 of 28 | 4 of 10 | 40% | 1 | 2 | 6:26 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melquizael Costa | 0 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 31 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 0:28 |
| Shayilan Nuerdanbieke | 0 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 9 of 12 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 1 | 0 | 3:52 | |
| 2 | Melquizael Costa | 0 | 6 of 16 | 37% | 31 of 46 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:41 |
| Shayilan Nuerdanbieke | 0 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 7 of 11 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 2 | 2:34 | |
| 3 | Melquizael Costa | 0 | 6 of 12 | 50% | 14 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:51 |
| Shayilan Nuerdanbieke | 0 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 4 of 5 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melquizael Costa | 16 of 35 | 45% | 8 of 20 | 5 of 10 | 3 of 5 | 8 of 22 | 5 of 7 | 3 of 6 |
| Shayilan Nuerdanbieke | 6 of 8 | 75% | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melquizael Costa | 4 of 7 | 57% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
| Shayilan Nuerdanbieke | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Melquizael Costa | 6 of 16 | 37% | 4 of 9 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 8 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 1 |
| Shayilan Nuerdanbieke | 3 of 4 | 75% | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Melquizael Costa | 6 of 12 | 50% | 3 of 7 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 |
| Shayilan Nuerdanbieke | 2 of 2 | 100% | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Costa (-170), Shayilan (+142)
Round 1
The prelims continue with a featherweight contest featuring two men with plenty of experience despite their young ages. At 27, Costa (20-7, 1-2 UFC) is attempting to even his UFC record to .500, while the 30-year-old Shayilan (39-11, 3-2 UFC) aims to make his 51st pro outing a successful one. The third man in the Octagon will be referee Mike Beltran, and the fight kicks off with no plan of a glove touch. Costa jabs his way forward and tosses out a low kick, and Shayilan hops out of the way. Costa kicks low a second time, and Shayilan counters him with a long right hand. Costa lazily reaches out with a right hand, and Shayilan ducks it and hits an easy double-leg takedown to put the vibrantly haired featherweight on his back. Costa turns to his side and looks for a kimura sweep, and he cranks on the submission from his back. “Wolverine” is calm, cool and collected, and he shrugs off the two-on-one wrist lock to keep his arm in good position. Before he burns his arms out, Costa lets go, and he explodes back to his knees and to his feet. Shayilan hits a quick mat return and loops as hook in to take Costa’s back standing. Costa leans himself against the cage wall, so Shayilan snags the body lock and hurls Costa to the floor. Costa climbs back up, and Shayilan uses sheer muscle to toss Costa down once more. Costa turns quickly to swirl around and take the Chinese fighter’s back, and Shayilan counters with a kneebar out of nowhere. Costa defends the leglock by pulling on Shayilan’s knee to try to free his limb, and he stands up and punches down to force the submission apart. Shayilan sits up and attacks a double, and he presses Costa against the cage when he cannot ground him. Using a trip, Shayilan chucks Costa to the mat, and Costa rolls through and even threatens briefly with his own leglock before Shayilan turns through it. Shayilan climbs on top, and Costa responds with short elbows. As Costa is warned for striking the back of the head, the round comes to a close.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Shayilan
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Shayilan
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Shayilan
Round 2
Costa moves right to the center of the cage to start the round, and he walks down Shayilan and pushes out a front kick that is just short of the intended target. Shayilan pursues a level change while Costa kicks at him, and he succeeds in dumping the Brazilian to the floor. Shayilan steps into the guard and thumps his man with an elbow, and Costa replies with a few off his back before rolling to try to get hold of an armlock using his legs. Costa bursts out of the position flat on his back to turn to the side, and he grabs hold of an ankle and trips Shayilan up to put him on his seat. Costa drags Shayilan away from the cage, and Shayilan times this explosion to flip around and get on Costa’s back. Costa stands up and turns to shed the Chinese fighter from his back, and they settle for a clinch. Shayilan shoots deep for a single, and Costa turns the corner to stuff it and somehow get hold of Shayilan. Costa ends up dragging Shayilan down from behind, and he wriggle his left arm around the chin for a moment. Shayilan defends the submission and turns all the way through to reestablish top position. Costa considers a triangle choke setup, but Shayilan tosses it aside. Costa uses this moment to power back to his feet, and Shayilan remains stuck on him like fly paper. Costa works the body with a few knees, and he is forced to stop a sudden level change. Shayilan fails on a second takedown try, and he takes a high kick upside the head that draws an immediate lump by the side of his eye. The round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Shayilan
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Round 3
The last round kicks off with Costa throwing single kicks one after the other. Shayilan parries them and circles away from the power, and he ducks a head kick that zips past him. Costa scores a body kick and eats a two-punch combo for his effort, and attacks the body a second time. Shayilan drops all the way down to the ankle to try to trip Costa up, but Costa turns him over and bowls the Chinese fighter to the floor. Shayilan explodes back to his knees, and Costa hangs on from behind before dragging Shayilan down and getting both hooks in.
“Melk” uses a fierce rear-naked choke grip, squeezing it on top of the chin, but it is extremely tight and quite dangerous. Shayilan’s eyes go wide, as he is surprised at just how powerful the face crank is from the Brazilian. Using palm-to-palm grip, he crushes the submission with every remaining bit of his energy.
Rather than grit it out, Shayilan decides to tap with his fist a few times. This is a huge win for Costa, who now celebrates a perfectly even distribution of victory: seven knockouts, seven submissions and seven decisions. This also marks the seventh time that Shayilan has been submitted.
The Official Result
Melquizael Costa def. Nuerdanbieke Shayilan R3 1:50 via Submission (Face Crank)
Angelo picks Mel Costa but at very low confidence, noting that Costa is the better fighter but makes poor decisions by wrestling when he should strike. He worries Costa can be pushed around and taken down by Shayilan's bully style. He emphasizes that Costa's wrestling should be plan B, not plan A, and that if he engages in clinch work, Shayilan will drag him to the ground.
Cody picks Melquizael Costa, noting his striking volume and movement, but is concerned about his last performance where he gassed out against Steve Garcia. He thinks Costa can outwork Nuerdanbieke if he fights smart and doesn't overuse wrestling. Cody expects Costa to win a decision but is not highly confident.
Daniel Vreeland is not high on Melquizael Costa, calling him overrated and lacking killer instinct. He favors Shayilan Nuerdanbieke's power and wrestling, though he notes gassing issues. He believes Nuerdanbieke can hurt Costa or at least win the first round, and calls it a dog-or-pass situation.
Jacob picks Shayilan, expecting a wrestling vs. jiu-jitsu battle where Shayilan's powerful control wrestling will be key. He thinks Shayilan can get takedowns and keep control for at least two rounds to win a decision. He notes that if Costa is ever in a scramble when Shayilan is tired, Costa is more dangerous, but overall favors Shayilan's wrestling.
Costa's movement and Jiu-Jitsu should keep him out of trouble from Nuerdanbieke. As long as Costa stays conscious early, his Jiu-Jitsu will outlast Nuerdanbieke, who will slow down, allowing Costa to take control and potentially find a submission.
Paul picks Melquizael Costa, citing his superior striking and range management. He notes that Nuerdanbieke has power but low volume and may rely on wrestling. Paul thinks Costa can win with volume if he keeps the fight standing, but is not confident due to Costa's gas tank issues.
The MMA Guru picks Melquizael Costa because he believes Costa is better on the feet, with nasty front kicks, head kicks, and question mark kicks. He thinks Shayilan's ground game is not dominant enough to expose Costa's weaknesses, and that Shayilan's style of trading hooks and shooting double legs won't work. He notes both have lost to Steve Garcia.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Garcia | 1 | 29 of 49 | 59% | 41 of 66 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:46 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 20 of 25 | 2 of 10 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 4:41 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Garcia | 0 | 4 of 11 | 36% | 12 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 5 of 7 | 71% | 19 of 22 | 2 of 9 | 22% | 0 | 0 | 4:41 | |
| 2 | Steve Garcia | 1 | 25 of 38 | 65% | 29 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:46 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Garcia | 29 of 49 | 59% | 26 of 45 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 10 | 3 of 8 | 22 of 31 |
| Melquizael Costa | 6 of 10 | 60% | 1 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Garcia | 4 of 11 | 36% | 3 of 9 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 7 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Melquizael Costa | 5 of 7 | 71% | 0 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Steve Garcia | 25 of 38 | 65% | 23 of 36 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 3 | 2 of 4 | 22 of 31 |
| Melquizael Costa | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Costa (-275), Garcia (+225)
Round 1
The predominant method of victory for these two fighters—now competing at lightweight due to the short-notice nature of their rescheduled pairing—is the knockout. Referee Chris Tognoni should don his hard hat before going out against these two sluggers. “Mean Machine” Garcia (14-5, 3-2 UFC) has performed his last six victories via strikes, while LFA vet Costa (20-6, 1-1 UFC) has earned two of his last three wins by knockout. Before the fists fly, they meet together in a sporting manner. Garcia springs forward, but he pulls back before engaging. On his second advance, Garcia throws caution to the wind, winging big punches. Costa shimmies to the side and allows Garcia to push past him, and he hooks his leg around Garcia’s and tries to drag him down to the floor. Costa elects to lift Garcia up and slam him to the mat, but “Mean Machine” moves back up to his feet quickly. Costa clings to Garcia from behind relentlessly, and Garcia tries to defend with no-look elbows. Costa knees Garcia in the backside and upper thigh as he pressures his man, and Garcia responds with elbows on the thigh. Costa whips Garcia to a knee, and Garcia considers grabbing the fence but at the last second just points at it. Costa forces his man down to a knee again, but Garcia springs up with no ill effects. Costa continues to embrace the grind from behind, shutting down any offense from Garcia and forcing him to spend energy in strange exchanges. When Costa looks to get a hook in, Garcia shucks it off. Costa peppers with knees until scooping Garcia up and dumping him down once more. Garcia powers back upright, and he wiggles and wriggles but cannot escape. Costa trips Garcia out but is unable to keep him grounded for more than a second, and he stays in this position until the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Round 2
Garcia comes out of his corner angrily, and he swings violently and connects with a few of his shots. Costa responds as the two engage in a mad brawl, with punches and elbows flailing in all directions. Garcia wings a left and a right, catching Costa and knocking him down to the canvas. “Mean Machine” follows him to the mat and drives down a vicious elbow, splitting Costa wide open, and Costa is in a bad way. Garcia smashes his man with fists and sharp elbows, and blood sprays around the canvas. Costa turns over and gives up his back, and Garcia snatches up a rear-naked choke. Perhaps due to the blood flow, Costa is able to slide out of the choke and turns to his back.
Garcia postures up, in full mount, and he demolishes “Melky” with three ruthless elbows. Tognoni halts the fight, with Costa out or very nearly out.
When Garcia dismounts his defeated adversary, Costa tries to take Tognoni down, and he is deep in on a single. Tognoni displays excellent takedown defense as officials flood the cage, with one very loud shouting at Costa to wake him back up. Costa realizes that he is trying to take down a referee and that the fight is over, and he surrenders.
The Official Result
Steve Garcia def. Melquizael Costa R2 1:01 via KO (Elbows)
Cody picks Melquizael Costa. He notes that Costa is a volume puncher and Garcia is a knockout-or-bust fighter. Cody points out that Garcia has poor defense and gets rocked in his wins and losses. He thinks Costa's volume and durability will be key. Cody is suspicious that the line hasn't moved despite Garcia pulling out last week due to illness and moving up a weight class. He still favors Costa.
Paul picks Melquizael Costa. He notes that he liked Costa last week and nothing has changed. Paul points out that Garcia has a history of missing weight and was sick last week, but now fights at lightweight without cutting weight. He thinks Garcia's power is a threat but Costa's volume and durability should win out. Paul is not taking Garcia just because of the circumstances.
Expert Picks (9)
Angelo picks Arnold Allen, believing he is cleaner, faster, and more experienced. He is not worried about Costa's grappling and thinks Allen will control the striking. He notes Costa has random power but sees no reason Allen is chinny. He expects Allen to be a step ahead.
Big Brady picks Arnold Allen despite not being a fan, citing the five-round distance as key. He expects Costa to fade in later rounds, as seen in his previous fights. He predicts a decision win for Allen, noting that if it were three rounds, he might pick Costa.
Cody leans toward Arnold Allen due to his experience in five-round fights and higher level of competition, despite a 1-3 record in his last four. He notes Allen's ability to win rounds against elite fighters like Max Holloway and Movsar Evloev, and expects his cardio to be an advantage as the fight progresses. However, he is hesitant to bet the current -155 line and prefers to play Allen in the live market if he loses early rounds. He acknowledges Melquizael Costa's recent knockout power and higher volume, but worries about Costa's cardio in a five-round fight.
Costa is more technical and dynamic on the feet, but may fade in later rounds. Allen is tough, durable, and has good cardio. If Costa's gas tank holds, he wins; if not, Allen takes over. Lean Allen but not betting.
Lucrative James picks Arnold Allen to win, citing Allen's superior five-round experience, size, and ability to close distance against kickers like Costa. He believes Costa's recent knockout streak is not repeatable and that Allen's losses to elite fighters (Max Holloway, Movsar Evloev, Jean Silva) were competitive. He also notes Allen's grappling advantage and the small cage benefiting Allen's pressure style.
The host picks Arnold Allen but is hesitant due to the chalky odds. He expects Allen to land more significant damage, but acknowledges Costa's volume and aggression could cause issues. He believes Allen's veteran savvy and five-round experience will lead to a decision win.
The host leans with the veteran Allen due to his experience and ability to potentially exploit Costa's aggressive style, especially in a five-round fight. However, he is not confident enough to bet Allen at -180, as he has never been high on Allen. He predicts Allen wins by decision and might consider the over.
Paul is not passionate about the main event but leans toward Melquizael Costa if forced to make a play. He notes that Costa has been on a good run and that Arnold Allen has never been knocked down in the UFC, but Costa seems to be putting it together. He is not confident enough to bet pre-fight and will focus on live markets instead.
The host leans towards Max Holloway because the fight is five rounds, which favors Holloway's cardio and experience. He notes that Arnold Allen tends to break his hand and slow down in later rounds, as seen in the Sadiq Yusuf fight. He believes Allen will win the first two rounds but fade, allowing Holloway to potentially finish in rounds 4 or 5. He also mentions Holloway's durability and volume punching.
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