UFC Kansas City: Max Holloway outlasts Arnold Allen in striking battle (Video)
A fight filled with striking pressure and battling for momentum ends with Max Holloway coming out on top against Arnold Allen at UFC Kansas City.
The 10-fight win streak of up-and-coming UFC featherweight contender Arnold Allen has been snapped courtesy of former UFC featherweight champ Max Holloway. Holloway defeated Allen via decision in the main event of UFC Kansas City.
Holloway now rebounds from coming up short in a trilogy bout with the only man who has gotten the better of him at featherweight since 2014, current 145-pound champ Alexander Volkanovski.
Holloway looked to come forward and bring pressure early, landing combinations. Allen threw a hard left in the first, but Holloway took it well. Allen looked to work his jab and land several kicks, but Holloway brought on the more effective mix of strikes throughout the first.
Holloway tried to get back to business in the second round, but Allen landed a mighty left hand and followed up with a small flurry to give him control. Holloway's attacks focused on body and leg kicks in the second round, with Allen trying to keep his distance and not allow Holloway to control the pace of the action. Holloway tried to up his output a little at the end of the frame.
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UFC Kansas City: Max Holloway holds off surging Arnold Allen
Holloway landed a big one-two early in the third round as the two were even in quick, crisp trading. Holloway, however, picked up the pace and landed the cleaner shots the longer the round went on.
The action in the fourth round mostly stayed in the center, with both men continuing their trading. Holloway, however, kept his own distance, looking to stay patient and land at key openings. Allen tried to take the momentum with a high kick about halfway through, but it seemed to not affect Holloway in the slightest. The combinations upstairs bloodied up Allen's nose, though Allen seemed to gain momentum back towards the end of the round.
Feeling the pressure of needing a finish, Allen came out with a flurry to start round five, looking to swarm and empty the tank against the former champ. Allen pressured Holloway, though Holloway caught Allen with a knee while moving back. Allen tried to press Holloway against the cage, but Holloway easily pushed him off.
Allen wasn't deterred and knocked Holloway down briefly with a body kick before the two went against the cage in a clinch. In the closing seconds, Allen rocked Holloway with a hard punch, but Holloway answered with one of his own that wobbled and knocked down Allen before the final horn.
All three judges scored the fight for Holloway, with two 49-46 cards and one 48-47.
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