UFC on ESPN 44: Holloway vs. Allen Odds, Schedule, Predictions
The featherweight division is about to find out just how big a threat Arnold Allen is at UFC on ESPN 44.
The 29-year-old continues to rise up the ranks in the 145-pound division but will face his toughest test yet in former champion Max Holloway. The Hawaiian is coming off an unsuccessful bid to reclaim that championship against Alexander Volkanovski but remains one of the best fighters in the division.
A win for Allen will immediately legitimize him as a threat to that championship. But if Allen suffers a loss in Kansas City, "Blessed" will remind us that he's still one of the top 145-pound fighters in the world.
On a lesser scale, Billy Quarantillo will have a similar challenge in the co-main event. He will look to beat veteran striker Edson Barboza at featherweight to take his next step.
Here's a look at the complete card and a preview of the biggest fights.
Fight Card, Schedule and Odds
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Main Card (ESPN+, 8:30 p.m. ET)
- Max Holloway -165 (bet $165 to win $100) vs. Arnold Allen +140 (bet $100 to win $140)
- Edson Barboza +145 vs. Billy Quarantillo -170
- Dustin Jacoby -150 vs. Azamat Murzakanov +130
- Tanner Boser +110 vs. Ion Cutelaba -130
- Chris Gutierrez -200 vs. Pedro Munhoz +170
- Rafa Garcia -265 vs. Clay Guida +225
Prelims (ESPN+, 5:30 p.m. ET)
- Bill Algeo -190 vs. TJ Brown +160
- Matheus Nicolau -200 vs. Brandon Royval +170
- Zak Cummings -225 vs. Ed Herman +190
- Gillian Robertson -125 vs. Piera Rodriguez +105
- Lando Vannata +110 vs. Daniel Zellhuber -130
- Bruna Brasil -150 vs. Denise Gomes +130
- Gastón Bolaños -190 vs. Aaron Phillips +160
- Joselyn Edwards +120 vs. Lucie Pudilová -140
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
Allen vs. Holloway
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There's a lot to love about this main event. Not only does it do a great job of pitting an up-and-comer against one of the most well-known names in the division, but it's a great stylistic matchup.
Holloway is a tremendous volume striker. He's willing to take a punch to give five. He's going to keep pressing forward with combinations and knows he can wear out his opponent more often than not.
Allen is a good striker himself. He has solid power in both hands and has finished each of his last two opponents. That's a relatively new part of his game but that's the interesting part of this fight. It's going to show us how much Allen has improved even since he beat Calvin Kattar after his opponent suffered a knee injury.
Ultimately, this may be too much, too soon for Allen. Holloway is 3-4 over his last seven fights, but it's important to note that those four losses have come against Alexander Volkanovski (three times) and Dustin Poirier. One of those guys is the champion and the other is a successful lightweight.
Allen is not on the same level as those two.
That doesn't mean he's going to lose on Saturday, but it does mean that he is rightfully the underdog here. Allen's 10-fight win streak has been impressive, but until Holloway loses to a featherweight that isn't the champion, he's going to be the pick.
Prediction: Holloway via decision
Barboza vs. Quarantillo
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Billy Quarantillo's quest to gain traction and create some momentum will take an important step against Edson Barboza here.
If he is able to dispatch the veteran, it will be two wins in a row. He knocked out Alexander Hernandez the last time he was in the cage. A win over a veteran like Barboza would further his case to continue to get chances to shine in spots like this.
Navigating a fight against Barboza is easier said than done, though.
The Brazilian has never broken into the title picture but he's spent much of his career hovering just below it.
That's no longer the case as Barboza reaches the twilight of his career. He's 2-5 since 2019, but many of those who have beaten Barboza have done so by being the superior grappler.
Barboza's striking is still strong. His kicks are especially dangerous.
Fortunately for Quarantillo, his tendency to push the pace and get in his opponent's face is the perfect antidote to those kicks. He is likely to keep the distance close with Barboza and negate Barboza's attack.
Prediction: Quarantillo via second-round TKO
Jacoby vs. Murzakanov
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Dustin Jacoby (35) and Azamat Murzakanov (36) are both fighters who have taken a long road to get to UFC relevance. But they are putting together late-career runs that could push them toward that goal.
Jacoby earned his UFC contract through Dana White's Contender Series after stints with Bellator and various regional promotions after a failed two-fight run in the UFC all the way back in 2012.
Since coming back to the promotion, he's 7-1-1 and is coming off the lone loss in that streak. Jacoby dropped a split decision to Khalil Rountree Jr., making this next fight crucial for him to regain the lost momentum.
Murzakanov was a latecomer to MMA, but he's made his presence felt in a short time. He made his professional debut in 2010 but didn't fight again until 2015. He also got his UFC shot through DWCS, but he has since earned two knockout victories.
He's a powerhouse who can end the fight with knees, punches or kicks.
Jacoby might have a slight edge in experience, but Murzakonov has an overwhelming striking arsenal.
Prediction: Murzakanov via second-round TKO
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