MMA Preview – Calvin Kattar vs Arnold Allen at UFC Vegas 63
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CALVIN KATTAR VS ARNOLD ALLEN FACTS
When is UFC Fight Night 213? Saturday 29th October, 2022 - 22:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Fight Night 213? UFC APEX, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 213? Click here to buy tickets for UFC Fight Night
What channel is UFC Fight Night 213 on? BT Sport 2
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 213? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
CALVIN KATTAR VS ARNOLD ALLEN LOWDOWN
Calvin Kattar (23-6) headlines his sixth UFC card and you can see why because four of those were the ‘Fight of the Night’. His last four bouts have been headliners where he has gone 2-2. He earnt a classy unanimous decision over Dan Ige (2020) but then got schooled himself by Max Holloway (2021) who broke several UFC records in a virtuoso performance. Kattar returned a year later (2022) and displayed a ton of character by outpointing Giga Chikadze and snapping his nine-fight win streak. However, he is coming off a split decision loss to Josh Emmett back in June which was another violent show.
Arnold Allen (18-1) is on absolute fire and after finally getting a big name his last fight, people are finally putting him into the title picture. He has won all nine of his UFC fights extending his win streak to 11. He is coming off unanimous decisions over Nik Lentz (2020), Sodiq Yusuff (2021) and a ‘Performance of the Night’ that caught the attention of the whole division, welcoming Dan Hooker (2022) back down to the division to TKO him in the first round.
CALVIN KATTAR VS ARNOLD ALLEN PREDICTION
This is the biggest fight of Allen’s career and his opportunity to force his name into the title picture. For Kattar, this is another day at the office, preparing to go to war with another dangerous mixed martial artist.
After Holloway’s schooling of Kattar, it sounds strange to say he is one of the best boxers in the division, but Holloway is just on another level. Kattar will still be very confident on the feet, but he has to respect Allen’s all-round game.
He will be well aware of Allen’s monstrous left hand, but we expect Allen to incorporate his grappling here. He is a strong wrestler with underrated jiu-jitsu and smoothly mixes it into his striking
Kattar has a 91% takedown defence which should keep the majority of the fight standing. The striking exchanges will be gripping. Kattar will bring a relentless pressure with compact technique and powerful combinations. He is a beast in the pocket whereas Allen is more patient and likes to pick his shots.
If Allen can keep moving and patiently counter from his southpaw stance he will be able to find a home for his straight left hand and high kick. Once he gets Kattar’s respect, he can level change and subdue The Boston Finisher. Allen also has a nasty choke ready if Kattar leave his head exposed in the clinch.
The worry for Allen is that he has never gone five rounds whereas Kattar is coming off four 25-minute wars with some of the best strikers in the division. We feel the first three rounds will be very competitive, but Kattar will run away with it in the championship rounds, chipping away with his jab, 1-2’s and front kicks.
It is surprising to see him pop up as the underdog, so there is a lot of value on him, although it is hard to count Allen out.
Prediction: Kattar via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Kattar to win
