SUMMARY
- Arnold Allen will be fighting against Movsar Evloev on January 20, 2024.
- Arnold lost his last fight against Max Holloway via unanimous decision.
With UFC 297 just a few nights’ sleep away, fans are eagerly waiting for the main card to get underway, with Arnold ‘Almighty’ Allen slated to go up against Movsar Evloev. The event will take place on January 20, 2024, at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The main card is scheduled to start at 10 p.m. ET. Let’s take a look at the featherweight bout and break it down with our analysis of who will win.
In a highly anticipated featherweight showdown, Arnold Allen is set to face off against Movsar Evloev in a pivotal matchup. With Allen holding the No. 3 spot and Evloev at No. 9 in the 145 lbs division, the outcome of this bout could potentially determine the next title contender, contingent on the results of the upcoming championship clash between Alexander Volkanovski and Ilia Topuria.
Featherweight fireworks!@Arnoldbfa and @MovsarUFC face off in Toronto in
a top 🔟 clash! #UFC297[ Register interest at https://t.co/newcSNExh0 | TOS starts
Nov 15th 🎟️ ] pic.twitter.com/V5H5bSDsgC— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) November 13, 2023
The rest of the fights on the UFC 297 main card include a middleweight bout between Chris Curtis and Marc-Andre Barriault, Neil Magny against Mike Malott at welterweight, the co-main event where Raquel Pennington goes up against Mayra Bueno Silva for the vacant Women’s Bantamweight title, and the main event where Sean Strickland defends his middleweight title against Dricus du Plessis.
Arnold is coming off a setback in the main event against Max Holloway, which was a typical Holloway fight. Max showcased his exceptional striking skills by overwhelming Arnold with a relentless barrage of punches and high volume. Whereas Evloev is coming off a dominating decision victory against Diego Lopes. However, Evloev, according to many, should have been able to finish off Diego in that fight.
UFC 297: Arnold Allen vs. Movsar Evloev stats
Stats | Arnold Allen | Movsar Evloev |
Wins | 19 | 17 |
Losses | 2 | 0 |
Height | 5′ 7″ | 5′ 6″ |
Division | Featherweight | Featherweight |
Reach | 70″ | 72″ |
Age | 29 | 29 |
Arnold Allen vs. Movsar Evloev: Fight breakdown and prediction
Arnold Allen, a dynamic UFC striker, boasts an aggressive style with solid footwork, powerful lunging attacks, and effective defense. His upright stance and impressive takedown defense, standing at 76%, highlight his evolution as a well-rounded fighter.
Allen, known for his speed and versatility, seamlessly integrates striking and grappling, showcasing his submission expertise, as in his UFC debut. Since 2018, he has thwarted 15 takedown attempts, exemplifying his growth in the octagon.
Movsar Evloev combines exceptional wrestling with striking prowess, making use of long-range punches and adept distance management. His unique approach involves lowering his level, executing leg shots, and manipulating his opponent’s head, capitalizing on extended right hands.
The last sparring session before the fight is complete! ⚔️ Ready for war on January 20th #ufc297 pic.twitter.com/XyWtnpkN25
— Movsar Evloev (@MovsarUFC) January 10, 2024
Characterized by subtle setups and continuous motion, Evloev’s style sets him apart. With a commitment to chain wrestling, he averages nearly five takedowns per fight, accumulating 33 across seven UFC appearances.
Evloev has a very superior takedown average of 4.71 takedowns per fight compared to Allen’s 1.12. Evloev also has higher striking accuracy (49%) and higher strikes landed per minute (4.57). Arnold Allen, on the other hand, has 40% striking accuracy and 3.34 strikes landed per minute. But ‘Almighty’ has a better takedown defense with 76% compared to Evloev’s 71%.
The key factor in this matchup revolves around Allen’s ability to thwart Movsar Evloev’s takedown attempts. While Allen enjoys a significant advantage in striking skills, being one of the division’s more technically proficient stand-up fighters, he faces the challenge of preventing Evloev from showcasing his wrestling prowess.
Notably, the UK native has showcased formidable power and quickness, with Max Holloway being the only fighter to outshine him in a striking exchange. The sheer number of takedowns that Evloev attempts during the match should give him an edge in the fight if he does manage to be successful.
Allen is no slouch, and it will be an uphill task for Movsar. But a task in which he should eventually succeed, swaying the course of victory in his favor.