Max Holloway and Arnold Allen headline a stacked Fight Night card this weekend out of Kansas City. In the co-main Edson Barbosa will try to end a two-fight skid against Billy Quarantillo. Pedro Munhoz faces Chris Gutierrez in what is sure to be an absolute war and 41-year-old Clay Guida meets Rafa Garcia. We take a look at my three best bets on this weekend’s UFC card below.
UFC Fight Night Preview & Betting Tips
Max Holloway vs. Arnold Allen
Max Holloway enters this weekend’s main event in almost a do or die situation against rising contender Arnold Allen. Holloway is still only 31-years-old but he has now lost all three fights against champion Alexander Volkanovski, the most recent of which was a complete whitewash. His road to the title is now a murky one and relies on Volkanovski being dethroned. A move to Bantamweight also seems unlikely and he is just too small for Lightweight, as evident when he was pieced up by Dustin Poirier. Regardless, Holloway comes into this weekend as a UFC legend, one of the best strikers in the sport and with strong takedown defence and a bottomless gas tank and is still one of the best around.
His opponent Arnold Allen is now 19-1 in his professional career and a win over Holloway will surely get him a UFC title shot. The Englishman most recently knocked out Calvin Kattar and before that completely floored Dan Hooker. Allen has UFC submission wins to his name but usually chooses to trade on the feet and that is something that hasn’t gone well for anyone except Volkanovski against ‘Blessed’.
While Holloway is in his early 30s the damage he has taken in his career is sure to catch up with him sooner rather than later and I am unsure how his confidence will be going into this fight. On the flip side Arnold Allen is looking better and better each time he steps into the Octagon. With that said I just don’t know if he has the output to win a five-round fight against Holloway who is tried and tested in these types of fights. Therefore, I will side with Blessed to return to the win column.
Max Holloway to win
$1.53
Clay Guida vs. Rafa Garcia
Clay Guida and Rafa Garcia is the tale of one veteran on the decline and the other fighter on the up. Guida is a legend but he is 41-years-old and relies on his gas tank and relentless takedown spam to win fights. Garcia is no star but he is physically strong and should be able to shake off takedown after takedown and reverse position when required. I ultimately think while Garcia may not get the finish, he just outclasses Guida in every area on route to a comfortable win.
Brandon Royval vs. Matheus Nicolau
Matheus Nicolau is an impressive 19-3 in his career and comes into this weekend’s clash with Brandon Royval on a four-fight win streak. Nicolau should have the advantage on the feet and I believe he should be able to control the grappling exchanges. Royval is a talented grappler and a real problem for anyone on the mat. However, I don’t see the pair spending much time on the ground and regardless if it does get there, I think Nicolau will be on top and be able to control the position and avoid Royval’s submissions he will inevitably be throwing up off his back. Nicolau also has a distinct power advantage on the feet and the American has been knocked down multiple times in his UFC career. Back Nicolau to get the win.
Matheus Nicolau to win
$1.48
